Canadian Idol Fans Watching American Idol

[missaddicted]

A transcript of Kris' latest two iPhone confessionals found on TWoP:

ARTISTRY
. . . You know, as an artist, this show is the biggest platform in the world. There's millions and millions of people watching the show and I think for all of the people, for all of us, all we want to do is be successful. We've all wanted to do the music thing forever, and this is just our way of doing it. And we've gotten really lucky, but this our way of doing it successfully. And hopefully after the show, we are able to go out and make records and love what we're doing and be able to support our families , be able to support ourselves. And I think that's what we're all here for, we're just trying to do what we know how to do. And be happy with it and be happy with our lives. . . .

I know for me, like in my career as a musician now, I'm hoping that I can write my music and sing my music and play it and all that kind of stuff but if that doesn't work out that's...I actually think I'd be totally cool with that. I think through this I've actually learned that I'm okay with not being the head of everything. I've been helping some people out, and you know so have others, but I like helping people out and helping them make songs and stuff like that and writing with other people and just collaborating and I like to do that kind of stuff. And if I'm in the background, that's fine. I just like music a whole lot and I want it to be my life forever and I want to be able to make a living doing it.

JUDGES
. . . I think there's actually been two comments that made me feel really good. And one was when I sang "To Make You Feel My Love" and Simon said "You could do really well in this competition." I think that made me feel really, really good cause I'd been battling with some confidence things and when I sang that song I felt really, really good about it. When Simon said that, I felt like - you know what? maybe I can do well in this thing. And the whole artistry thing that Kara said, I thought that was nice because that's what I feel like I am. I feel like I'm an artist, I'm a musician, I'm a singer. And that just made a lot of sense to me and I really appreciated what she said.

I guess the comment that definitely kinda hurt me the most a little bit was when Simon called me self-indulgent, because that was the one comment throughout this whole thing I did not want to get. I don't feel like I'm a self-indulgent person, I don't feel like that at all. That was the one that, I don't know, made me feel like what I had in my head didn't work out. Maybe it wasn't self-indulgent but it just kinda hurt to get that comment. Not horribly, it was just that I didn't like that because that's not what I want to be on the show. I don't want to be self-indulgent, I don't want to be all about me so that was the one that hit home the worst.

Oh Kris! I don't see any way how this guy could be self-indulgent, really.

 

[ross 1]

I like that guy completely. Thanks for sharing that with us, missaddicted.

I think through this I've actually learned that I'm okay with not being the head of everything. I've been helping some people out, and you know so have others, but I like helping people out and helping them make songs and stuff like that and writing with other people and just collaborating and I like to do that kind of stuff. And if I'm in the background, that's fine. I just like music a whole lot and I want it to be my life forever and I want to be able to make a living doing it.

I was surprised by this and kind of disappointed. What about this experience has convinced him he might belong in the background? Is it more discouraging than I thought, for him to be in this competition in Adam's shadow? I want this guy to be a successful artist, and to make music, which I'll gladly buy. I mean, getting this far on AI with almost no support from the show is pretty amazing. Hope he realizes that.

Oh, and...Kris, don't go home tomorrow.

My mom then called me a groupie and her boyfriend jokingly asked me if I had Adam and Kris posters in my room (which I don't LOL!).

You don't? I thought everybody did. And also one of Danny Gokey, to throw darts at.

I loved the background info! I haven't really tried to turn any relatives or friends on to my favorite idols lately. My attempt to interest my friends in a few of the Canadian idols didn't work so I haven't bothered with this AI group. I tried showing my mom some of Jacob's CI performances last year and she didn't get them at all.

PS -- mj called the best tonight: Kris, Allsion, Adam.

What Kris said tonight to Jamie Foxx about his (own) voice not being up to the others'...I just totally disagree with this. Suddenly it seems it's popular to say his voice is "weak." Totally disagree. This show skews perceptions, anyway. It's a Star Search sensibility. What Kara said tonight -- I wish I could remember it -- was on the money. I think mj quoted it. Yeah. Here it is: “You have set the technical standard incredibly high for this season…phrasing, diction, rhythm, timing." So the guy is a great technical singer. And not a diva, which anywhere else would be considered a good thing.

You know, if you think about it, there's a lot of cheese potential in the songs he chooses, and he could have been hokey or maudlin, OTT or tasteless, and he's been none of those things. Part genuineness, part good taste, part a kind of genius performing sensibility. He gets it right every time.

 

[missaddicted]

I was just rewatching some of the performances before the results show, and I observed that Simon was clapping after Kris' performance (and Adam's), but he didn't clap for Danny. He also rolled his eyes before Randy started his critique. Probably means nothing but it was interesting to see.

I was surprised by this and kind of disappointed. What about this experience has convinced him he might belong in the background? Is it more discouraging than I thought, for him to be in this competition in Adam's shadow? I want this guy to be a successful artist, and to make music, which I'll gladly buy. I mean, getting this far on AI with almost no support from the show is pretty amazing. Hope he realizes that.

I didn't take it that way at all. I think he just realized how important music was really for him. He was probably going to pursue another career in his previous life, but now, he says that he would really like to live from music, be it from his own music, or by producing/writing, etc. I believe he's not the most ambitious guy for sure, but I didn't take his comment to mean that he didn't want to pursue his own career at all, just that he would also like to work in the background, which makes him a more respectable musician to me.

I loved the background info! I haven't really tried to turn any relatives or friends on to my favorite idols lately. My attempt to interest my friends in a few of the Canadian idols didn't work so I haven't bothered with this AI group. I tried showing my mom some of Jacob's CI performances last year and she didn't get them at all.

Yes, I usually also keep my interest in Idol to myself, as I have said previously. But that night I was talking about Star Académie with my mom (more interesting show that AI and less manipulated, but the contestants won't probably make music that I would want to buy), so I guess I just started talking about AI to compare the two shows. Oh, and we were also talking about Susan Boyle, which brought the discussion to Simon.

You know, if you think about it, there's a lot of cheese potential in the songs he chooses, and he could have been hokey or maudlin, OTT or tasteless, and he's been none of those things. Part genuineness, part good taste, part a kind of genius performing sensibility. He gets it right every time.

He does, he does!

Soon, the results. I'm a bit nervous, but not too much.

 

[missaddicted]

First, yay for Kris!

I don't believe that Adam was bottom 2 at all. It was "motivate the fanbase" time. I just hope that Kris' and Adam's fanbases will be super motivated next week... to take out Gokey. Please?

The cake segment was funny, but it was still a bit weird and inapropriate I guess to see Danny act like that with Allison.

I couldn't listen to Natalie Cole, I was still shocked by the whole maneuver that they pulled with Adam and the "choose your group" schtick.

The group number was awesome!

It was my first meeting with Taylor Hicks and I didn't hate it. He has approximately 10X more charisma than the Gokey.

Oh, and was thatJamie Foxx singing? I thought it was Mr. Robot. That's what it sounded like anyway.

If Gokey wins this thing, I will be heartbroken. I will be crushed. Anybody but Gokey will do at this point.

 

[ross 1]

Soon, the results. I'm a bit nervous, but not too much.

I was nervous this week, not going to lie. Actually very nervous. When Kris was safe I was pretty happy. Jumped off the couch and yelled. heh.

I'm sure there are going to be a lot of Adam fans on the boards, saying there's no way he was really in the bottom three. Or saying they accept that he might have been in the bottom three, but no way was he ever really in the bottom two.

The local Fox newscaster just said: "And can you believe Adam was in the bottom?"

Well, folks, I say: get over it!

The DialIdol raw numbers had Matt, Kris, and Adam as the bottom three. Matt at the bottom. Then Kris, then Adam. Allowing for the usual margin of error, I see no reason to doubt it. In fact, Adam has not been in the number one or number two spot in those raw numbers for a few weeks.

Allsion was at the top of the raw numbers.

This was a good results show. The entertainment wasn't bad. Natalie Cole sounded horrendous, but the band, espcially that sax player: awesome. The band sounded great behind Taylor, also, and he sounded and looked good. Jamie Foxx looked great and I thought he was good live, but you had to wonder why he was actually the Rat Pack Night mentor. (Saw Kris over on the sidelines moving to the beat, and probably thinking, "Hey, Jamie, when are we gonna make that record you mentioned?")

Not only was he an awesome mentor, but tonight what he said about the idols was really supportive and generous. With industry people watching the show, validation from a popular star gives all their career chances a boost.

I just saw Simon and Randy briefly interviewed on Fox after the show.

The reporter asked: "Adam Lambert in the bottom two? What's up with that?"

Randy: "There were only five left, they're all great, and people haven't made up their minds yet."

Simon: "I'm an optimist, I prefer to think he was in the top three, not the bottom three." (I don't get it. He wasn't in third place, Simon. That would be Kris.)

 

[missaddicted]

Allsion was at the top of the raw numbers.

Wasn't Allison at (or near) the top of the raw numbers last week also? But, she was in the bottom 2 (or was she?) on the show.

Well, folks, I say: get over it!

Well, I don't want to. I can't accept that Danny gets more votes, I can't. It scares the hell out of me.

 

[ross 1]

Someody pointed out to me Ryan never said that they (Adam and Matt) were actually the "bottom two" I rewatched it and he didn't. Just that Kris was in the top four and was safe, and that "one of these two guys is going home tonight." Ryan definitely did say "the bottom three" were those three, though.

The raw numbers actually had Danny in last place. I got mixed up the first time. They were hard to read, because there was a result for both phone lines for each contestant. You're right that Allsion seemed to be on top that other time, and was actually in the bottom two. DialIdol is mostly innacurate, I guess.

Listen to Ryan's interview with Jamie Foxx on mj's blog, missaddicted. Great stuff about Kris and Adam!

And I love Kris's song, Land Of Smiles (apparently about his time in Thailand. "The land of smiles.").

 

[missaddicted]

Someody pointed out to me Ryan never said that they (Adam and Matt) were actually the "bottom two" I rewatched it and he didn't.

He did actually, when he was talking to Jamie Foxx after his performance. He definitely said it, I heard it the first time.

About Dialidol, some on the Knoll are saying that it's the GeoPredictions that are the most accurate, but I take DI with a huge grain of salt this year. It's was useful last year though.

And I love Kris's song, Land Of Smiles (apparently about his time in Thailand. "The land of smiles.").

Yes, I love it too. I think my favorite is still Wastin' Time though, love that song!

I just have this bad feeling right now that Danny is going to win. I hate even thinking about this possibility.

 

[ross 1]

I just have this bad feeling right now that Danny is going to win. I hate even thinking about this possibility.

I think he just had a good night.

I disliked how he sang, even more than usual, but people seemed to love it, even the people who normally don't like him. I couldn't believe that was the same Come Rain Or Come Shine that I know and love, one of the great standards covered by so many jazz and pop stars. Oh, well. I think he appeals to the 'heartland.'

I can only hope he's one of those performers who, the more attention they get, the worse they look.

Listened to Adam's and Kris's new ones on iTunes and liked Kris better live, overall, but the beginning and end of the studio version have some really nice things. Somehow he gets a bit drowned out by the band at times. I wasn't crazy about Adam this week, but I liked the energy/rawness of his live performance and I think the studio version sounds too studied.

One criticism I'm not sure I ever like, though, is the "too Broadway" one, which has been leveled at various people and now Adam over the years (on CI, too). In other eras, Broadway, Hollywood and pop sounds overlapped, so why not now?

I mean, just because people say Broadway-type singing is not relevant, currently, it doesn't mean it couldn't become popular. If Adam made it popular. Trends can be set, they don't always have to be followed. Why be closed minded? My big beef with AI.

Someody pointed out to me Ryan never said that they (Adam and Matt) were actually the "bottom two" I rewatched it and he didn't.

He did actually, when he was talking to Jamie Foxx after his performance. He definitely said it, I heard it the first time.

Oh, okay. I wouldn't worry about it, though. Adam isn't going anywhere.

Poor Adam had to do the Huff. Do you think he picked the group he thought was top three, or bottom three? I thought when he said "based on last night," he did think they were top 3 and I guess he obviously felt he belonged with them! Proves he has a healthy ego, nothing wrong with that. If you watch it again (I watched mj's clip of it), notice how reluctant he is to cross the stage to the other group! Ryan wants to lead him, and he drags his feet, for sure.

 

[SleepinIn]

I didn't watch the results show. I have to watch Lost (it's been a 4 - 5 year committment at this point and I can't throw it all away now that I'm finally getting some damn answers - lol) I did turn it over to Idol at exactly the right moment. There was Adam and there was Matt.... wait..what? .... Adam?

Now I love Adam generally. But I happen to like Kris more. So this was the chink in the invincibility armour I have been waiting for. What this really means for me is that anyone of them could win. More specifically - Kris.

(hoping fervently it's not Danny - no offense Danny - but I can't ever buy your music - it's a rule)

Have you guys seen this un-scientific poll/game?

How the Idols scored, using our not-so-scientific formula - USATODAY.com

Throw a little love Kris's way..

 

[ross 1]

About Dialidol, some on the Knoll are saying that it's the GeoPredictions that are the most accurate, but I take DI with a huge grain of salt this year. It's was useful last year though.

They're right! I looked at the GeoPredictions maps and they're pretty accurate.

This is the 'predicted winner" map for Tuesday.

Allison and Danny won the most states. Kris is in third place. Adam won the least states, three. Matt won five. But since you have to go by the populations, Matt probably had fewer actual votes than Adam. And some states were too close to call, or weren't counted.

If you scroll over each state you can see some counts.

You can also look at the "predicted loser" map on the same page.

Matt was the predicted loser, with Adam and Kris in the bottom three. Matt and Adam were predicted to be the bottom two.

Until last night, Danny, Adam, and Kris had never been in the bottom three. People -- including the press -- have made assumptions about who has been the front runner, based a lot on the way the show presents the idols, and things the judges say. That doesn't actually mean Adam has ever been the front runner, and we have no way of knowing which one of these three guys has had the largest vote total so far. For this reason I have no problem believing Kris got more votes than Adam on Tuesday. Or that Danny got more than both of them.

SleepinIn, if you want to watch the results, they're here. Hey, you don't want to miss the Huff! Also, Jamie's remarks about the idols. Followed by Seacrest saying to him, "What do you think, did America get this right, tonight? This is the bottom two, here." (Just as you said, missaddicted.)

 

[missaddicted]

OK, this is going to be a long post I think. I've been accumulating things to say since yesterday morning!

I think he just had a good night.

The worst thing is (but it actually makes me happy) that he didn't get a grade that amazing on the What Not To Sing website (which compiles reviews from many different places I believe). He got a 66, which is positive yes, but certainly far from a "moment". Allison and Adam beat him with a 75 and a 70 respectively. Danny has never had a five star performance (over 80) according to their ratings, which almost makes his frontrunner status even more surprising. He should have had a "moment" by now to justify his frontrunner status and his probable lead in votes, but he didn't. It's even more depressing to think that he didn't even need that five star performance to get that status and that his performances may not have that big of an impact on his frontrunner status. For comparisions sake, Kris has had two performances over 80 (Ain't No Sunshine and She Works Hard), Allison, four (but they're all lower then the 85s that Kris got), and Adam, three (with the only one over 90). Even Matt has had a performance over 80. Danny, none.

Listened to Adam's and Kris's new ones on iTunes and liked Kris better live, overall, but the beginning and end of the studio version have some really nice things. Somehow he gets a bit drowned out by the band at times. I wasn't crazy about Adam this week, but I liked the energy/rawness of his live performance and I think the studio version sounds too studied.

I don't really like Kris' song. I mean, his voice and phrasing are great as usual, but the music is a bit too musak for my tastes. The band drowns him out once again. (I read that last week, Kris was apparently not happy with the arrangement for the studio version "She Works Hard...", which made me feel a bit better, because the live arrangement was definitely better.) On the other hand, I love Adam's song. The band at least doesn't drown him out and he pulls out all the tricks with his voice. I agree with your comment of "studied" though ross, but I like it that way. Yes, I miss a bit of rawness, but I like all the vocal stylistics (is that a word?).

Why be closed minded? My big beef with AI.

Totally agree with you on this. I believe my tastes in music are pretty mainstream (but I also dislike a lot of stuff on the radio right now, but I really like a big part of it). I don't only listen to the most popular stuff though, but the other stuff I listen to is not that obscure either. Even then, I find a lot of performers on AI to be really boring and old school. I'm pretty bored with all the AI winners, except Cook of course, and Kelly, but I started listening to her music only with her second CD.

Poor Adam had to do the Huff. Do you think he picked the group he thought was top three, or bottom three? I thought when he said "based on last night," he did think they were top 3 and I guess he obviously felt he belonged with them! Proves he has a healthy ego, nothing wrong with that.

I really don't know what he believed. And I don't even know if I would have preferred him not too choose at all. At least, he acted like the adult that he is, he would have looked a bit childish if he had just sat on the stage like previous contestants have done before. Anyway, for what it may mean, Matt, in an interview, said that Adam didn't like his performance this week. So he may have thought that he had to choose the bottom three, and Simon had said that Allison would maybe be in trouble after her performance. I just think it's an horrible thing to do to the contestants. Kris did a major eyeroll when the camera was on him and Matt while Ryan was telling Adam that he had to choose a group.

Now I love Adam generally. But I happen to like Kris more. So this was the chink in the invincibility armour I have been waiting for. What this really means for me is that anyone of them could win. More specifically - Kris.

Maybe. But I believe it will come down to Adam and Danny. This season has been mostly predictable and I think that's exactly what's going to happen, as we have been told so many times. My heart would love a Danny shock-boot next week, but my head doesn't believe it to be possible. I'm even pretty scared for Kris next week. I think the bus will be coming for him big time. I think they'll want to keep Allison for top three, since I don't believe there's any chance for her to make the finale (just like Syesha last year).

Apparently, they're going to do duets next week. One solo performance and one duet, probably due to the AI director's inability to finish the show on time. Six performances will take less time than eight. I'm ambivalent about the idea. I like it, but at the same time, it could lead to even more manipulations by the show. I think I would like Kris and Allison to be paired together and Adam and Danny together.

Four more of Kris' original songs from his CD "Brand New Shoes" were posted on the blog that posted the previous one this week. I think I have found new favorites: Be My Lady and I Was Played are awesome! It's a really good CD I think and I'm really digging his style.

I watched Anoop's interview with Michael Slezak on Idolatry and I have much respect for him. He's a smart guy and he has interesting things to say about the show.

Oh, and finally, the contestants' twitters are apparently fakes, which really makes the most sense I think, considering they can't be on "social sites" like Myspace and Facebook while on the show.

 

[ross 1]

This is probably going to be even longer than yours, missaddicted. lol

Excuse me if I don't directly answer what you were talking about and instead go off on a kind of related tangent. Or rant. If you will!

missaddicted, you referred a lot to Danny's "frontrunner status," in your post. I've thought about this, myself. And I have to wonder: who granted him this status?

The show granted him frontrunner status right from the start, with a geat deal of attention and screen time. But what about actual "frontrunner" status, in votes? Which is (supposedly) all that counts.

Look at it this way. Up until Tuesday night, Kris, Danny, and Adam had never been in the bottom three. Other than this information, we have no hard data about who has actually been the frontrunner, or frontrunners. The perception has been that Adam has been the frontrunner, or that Adam and Danny are neck and neck in a fight to the finish. Adam, number one, Danny, number two. Or, vice-versa. But there's no evidence to suggest this. There's also no evidence to suggest Kris has not been the front runner. Or in second place, for that matter.

I believe the show has deliberately avoided giving the impression Kris is a frontrunner. Yet, in approximately two months, he's never landed in the bottom three, until Tuesday. If nothing else, he's one of three frontrunners. But this has never been stressed at all. And for some peculiar reason people have assumed he's teetering on the brink of elimination every week.

Last week he was sent to safety ahead of Adam. Yet no one could believe that could actually be true. It must have been manipulation, by the show. Because, after all, how could Adam, "the front runner," have been in the bottom two?

Well, who says he's the front runner? And why is it impossible to believe Kris got more votes than Adam? Is Kris unpopular, untalented? Has he been in the bottom three a lot? No, to all three.

But Adam has been pimped in all kinds of subtle and unsubtle ways. A lot of attention, from the begining of the show. The "chairs" episode. The Top 36 performances. There have been things like Ryan's question to Paula about what the others need to do to keep up with Adam. There has been Adam in the pimp spot more than any other contestant. (He's never gone first, has he?) There was Simon's standing ovation, and Paula conferring frontrunner status on him.

All the same stuff applies to Danny. He's mainly a frontrunner because we've been told he is. He's usually been given good performance slots, great judges' comments (including Paula's prediction of the finals for him), etc. He had a buildup and backstory in the Top 36 rounds. He got the pimp spot, in his group. (As did Adam and Lil, in their groups). And a lot of screen time.

In contrast there was no screen time for Kris back then. There have been Simon's comments, on several different occasions, to Kris, about his lack of confidence or star quality, his lack of ability to win (this past week), his lack of desire to win, etc. There has been the second spot in the performance order (now called the Kris Allen Memorial slot), the continual appearance in the first half of the show. And the refusal of the judges to say he could win or be in the finals (except for last week, with Kara's "dark horse" comment. And that comment assumed he's an outsider, not a front runner. Again, based on what? Why couldn't she just say he could win? How has he "come from behind," anyway? When was he ever behind?).

All this blatant and subtle pimping and de-pimping has created an impression everyone has bought into.

Unfortunately, a lot of people have also believed the DialIdol "predictions," which have shown Kris in the lower half, consistently. So every week when he's safe, the perception is, it was only by the skin of his teeth. I tend to doubt that.

Finally, there was the "glitch" (if a glitch it was, and not more pimping) where Adam was revealed to have been way ahead in iTunes downloads. With Kris doing well, but "far behind." And Danny even farther behind. This also adds to the Adam-as-frontrunner perception, but it doesn't necessarily have anything to do with who does the voting. Obviously, people were not voting for him last week.

What we know for sure is that, last week, Danny got more votes than the other two and stayed out of the bottom three. This doesn't prove he's more popular or has been consistently getting more votes than them. There's just no way to know.

The other thing is, Simon's predictions all along of Adam and Danny being in the finals. He was saying this on The Tonight Show in March. He predicted the Top 3, and Randy seconded it. And more recently he came out and called the Top 2.

It came as no surprise to us because all along we have been told these people are the front runners. If we had been sold an Allison/Kris finale all along, then that, too, would have come as no surprise. Instead, it comes as a surprise that they can even hold their own, because the show has been giving us the impression they can't, for months.

The latest de-pimp is: they aren't competitive enough! Exactly why aren't they? Where has this impression come from? From them? No. From Simon. He finds a trait they have, a niceness, or a subtlety as performers, and he works that over until it becomes "inability to win," "lack of hunger to win," etc. It's a load of crap. Are they doing anything different than what the others are doing? No. Are they giving it less than their all? Of course not. Do they want to win? Of course.

Last week Kris got tarred with this brush, not only on performance night, but also on results night, when Ryan had to bring it up again. "Do you want to win?" "I wouldn't be here if I didn't want to win." Randy turned to Simon for a response, and Simon didn't buy it. I forget what he said. "He thinks he means it," or something. Kris answered the question. But Simon had to have the last word. Leave us with the perception that he doubts Kris has the stuff to win. The toughness, or the desire. I don't know who was supposed to be brainwashed by this, us, or Kris. It probably left people with the perception Kris is out of his depth, and it may have been intended to make him feel intimidated.

Of course, it could be speculated that Simon wants to light a fire under him to surge forward, or under his fans to vote for him. You could say that the Kris/Allison de-pimp by Simon (with the other three judges protesting) was all a set-up to get sympathy votes for these two. To make sure Matt went home on schedule, and to make sure either Allison or Kris will get into the Top 3, rather than Matt (for whatever reason). I literally thought Simon's calling Matt brilliant was cynical and unfelt. I just think he wanted to set him up against Kris and Allsion so that their fans would vote their fingers to the bone. I think he wanted Matt gone. But who knows?

 

[missaddicted]

ross, great post. Actually, you've made me realize more than ever that I can't wait for this season to be over. I love some of the contestants (well, two of them), but I hate this show. And Simon.

I hope Kris will be able to leave (probably next week or if he's lucky during top 3 week) with his head up high. He's not in TPTB's and Simon's plans, so I just hope he'll show once again that he's a good artist with a great defined style and that he goes to have the success he deserves. He probably won't be topping the charts, but he could carve an interesting niche for himself, like some of the other singer-songwriters.

Then, I guess I'll just pray that Adam wins this thing, because the thought of Gokey winning is really depressing. I know I'm repeating myself, but that's really how I feel.

You know I've been rewatching some performances from last summer's CI and there's no comparision. CI is such a superior show. Yes, they sometimes try to push their favorites and regional voting sometimes sucks, but the show is mostly fair and entertaining. AI towards the end is not entertaining anymore. It was the same thing last year. Also, I've had enough with the relatively old songs that the AI contestants have to sing. Once again, this week, the "rock" theme is supposedly "classic rock". No chance for something more current once again. That is also quite depressing (Not that I don't like the older songs, just that it makes the show less interesting for me).

 

[ross 1]

Wow, I wrote a lot. I made you read that?? Kinda sorry. Thing is I had been storing up this stuff, I suppose. Stupid show!!

Hey, I didn't say I thought Danny was going to win, or even be Top 2. He won't win, and he may not be Top 2, either. If Adam gets down and dirty in rock week, he will last. I think he was a little bit too esoteric last week. And it ain't over till it's over. The results may surprise us.

Anyway, cheer up. There is a lot of Gokey dislike out there and that's got to count for something. Ha.

Apparently, they're going to do duets next week. One solo performance and one duet, probably due to the AI director's inability to finish the show on time. Six performances will take less time than eight. I'm ambivalent about the idea. I like it, but at the same time, it could lead to even more manipulations by the show. I think I would like Kris and Allison to be paired together and Adam and Danny together.

Duets! I may end up liking it, I don't know. I can't say. One performer is going to have to bend to suit the style/key of another, you know? Has this been done, before? I was really hoping each one would get two songs.

I understand that last week they prepared two songs and had to cut one.

I don't get why they have no time. I think the show moves along quickly, I actually think the director is getting a bit of a bad rap. Why do Paula and Simon slow things down so much? Why does Randy do things like ask Lil to defend her performance to the judges when the show is on a tight schedule? Not much a director can do with all that, if it wasn't in the rehearsal. They can only approximate the time of a live show by timing the rehearsal.

Have they added more commercials this year, I wonder? Adding a fourth judge couldn't make that much of a difference.

Hey, what did CI do about timing the show? Refresh my memory. They had two songs by this point in the season, didn't they? All in one hour? With a mentor? Or was it 90 minutes?

You know I've been rewatching some performances from last summer's CI and there's no comparision. CI is such a superior show. Yes, they sometimes try to push their favorites and regional voting sometimes sucks, but the show is mostly fair and entertaining. AI towards the end is not entertaining anymore. It was the same thing last year. Also, I've had enough with the relatively old songs that the AI contestants have to sing. Once again, this week, the "rock" theme is supposedly "classic rock". No chance for something more current once again. That is also quite depressing (Not that I don't like the older songs, just that it makes the show less interesting for me).

You more or less know CI is going by the real vote tally because they would never keep certain contestants around otherwise. The regional voting makes it clear CI isn't messing with the vote counts. (Well, as far as I know, anyway.)

I agree the show just has a whole different tone, too. It's really a blast.

I loved the songs on CI last year. I mean, you had some people who were teenagers, like Mookie. Should they be singing 40 year old songs? Is this the music they would do in the real world?

Wasn't it funny how when Kris did a recent song they acted like he had reinvented the wheel? The song selections have been boring this year, though I've liked all of his and a few of Adam's.

Have to say I disagree with you about one thing, that that really swinging big band behind Kris constitutes "muzak." I just think you're not into that type of jazz at all.
To me, that was pretty solid stuff on that recording. But his vocal was better on the live show, for some reason. She Works Hard For The Money, though -- ugh. They ruined it. That was such a cool moment on the show.

I'm pretty confident Kris is going to come up with something great this week, also.
Problem is, only one song. I was really hoping for another ballad from him, plus an uptempo number. Guess not.

They will probably put Kris with Danny in the duets. Just watch! Aaargh!

 

[missaddicted]

Anyway, cheer up. :razz: There is a lot of Gokey dislike out there and that's got to count for something. Ha.

Yes, the Gokey hate all around makes me feel slightly better! I'll try to cheer up, but I guess I'm mostly trying to be realistic. I had started getting my hopes up for a Kris/Adam final two last week (like many others), but my hopes have pretty much been crushed this week. I'll just try to avoid getting my hopes up and see how it really goes.

Hey, what did CI do about timing the show? Refresh my memory. They had two songs by this point in the season, didn't they? All in one hour? With a mentor? Or was it 90 minutes?

The top 5 on CI is one song, which is OK with me, since it can be longer. Last year, one of Cook's song on the top 5 night lasted something like 1 minute 15 seconds, it was ridiculous. On CI, they did two songs on top 4 though, so eight performances in one hour. Last year, they had a mentor for one of the two songs (Anne Murray). The thing is, I think CI might have had less commercials than AI. Sometimes, they would air three performances in the same segment, which never happens on AI. Also, the judges were more used to the 4-judges format I guess, because they were not taking forever to judge. Top 3 on CI is also two songs, but they used to do three songs on AI. So, 9 performances in one hour. I don't know how they'll manage that this year.

Have to say I disagree with you about one thing, that that really swinging big band behind Kris constitutes "muzak." I just think you're not into that type of jazz at all.

Yeah, you're probably right. I just think it sounds more like something I would hear in a hotel lobby and not on my iPod!

I'm pretty confident Kris is going to come up with something great this week, also.

Oh, I have no doubt about this also. I'm not worried about him, I'm more worried about how the show is going to treat him.

They will probably put Kris with Danny in the duets. Just watch! Aaargh!

Weren't you trying to cheer me up? LOL.

Have you listened to Kris' four new/old songs?

 

[ross 1]

hey will probably put Kris with Danny in the duets. Just watch! Aaargh!

Weren't you trying to cheer me up? LOL.

Oh, yeah, I forgot! lol

I don't think I'm crazy about the duets idea. Too bad the four of them just couldn't sing a few songs together, as in CI6's Top 24 group numbers. I think I'd prefer that.

A friend of mine told me today he thinks Adam acts entitled. "He thinks he's all that," my buddy said. I haven't really gotten this impression from Adam.

Last week Chris Daughtry wrote this on twitter:

Just finished my workout and watching Idol...I think Kris Allen is the SHIZNIT-O-BAM!!! --11:59 PM Apr 28th from TwitterFon

ITA.

The top 5 on CI is one song, which is OK with me, since it can be longer. Last year, one of Cook's song on the top 5 night lasted something like 1 minute 15 seconds, it was ridiculous. On CI, they did two songs on top 4 though, so eight performances in one hour. Last year, they had a mentor for one of the two songs (Anne Murray). The thing is, I think CI might have had less commercials than AI. Sometimes, they would air three performances in the same segment, which never happens on AI. Also, the judges were more used to the 4-judges format I guess, because they were not taking forever to judge. Top 3 on CI is also two songs, but they used to do three songs on AI. So, 9 performances in one hour. I don't know how they'll manage that this year.

Thanks. Watching CI the way I did, it wasn't obvious how long the show was, plus all the commercials were cut out. On performance nights, I watched each segment as it was uploaded; it sometimes took way longer than an hour to see the whole show.

Oh, I have no doubt about this also. I'm not worried about him, I'm more worried about how the show is going to treat him.

Take a look at the Kris fan site. Go to "Home," and look for the Winning Column Contest Submission, and read a few of the positive things there! It helps! So does the EW on the scene report.

I haven't heard the four songs yet. Where did you find them? Sorry, I forgot. Are they on mj's blog?

 

[missaddicted]

A friend of mine told me today he thinks Adam acts entitled. "He thinks he's all that," my buddy said. I haven't really gotten this impression from Adam.

Really? Me neither. I became an Adam fan at first more because of his personality than because of his singing! He seemed like a guy I would like to hang out with. He seemed well-spoken and thoughtful, sweet and confident at the same time. Of course, it's all based on personal observations and as much as I would probably like to believe that Danny is a douche like a lot of people are saying, I now believe it's more that he's a bit clueless and maybe not the wisest guy in the world. Well, maybe he his, but that's not the perception I have of him!

But your post made me think about something. Maybe Adam isn't relatable enough? I mean, some people definitely relate to him, but the fact that he's a "Hollywood" guy makes him probably less relatable than Midwestern boys Danny and Kris (are they even from the Midwest? Or is Arkansas considered the South? Anyway, that's not my point). A lot of people probably relate to the Gokey (even if I don't, at all).

I think a big part of Idol is that the viewers want to maybe claim a bit of "ownership" over the Idols. "He won because I voted for him". I mean, the examples I have of this is of course in the David Cook fandom (not all of the fandom, but certain parts of it). Recently, David posted a message on his myspace that certain behaviors from some fans had to stop, that they had to respect his privacy, otherwise, he wouldn't come out every night after a show. I mean, he wouldn't even have to come out and then he gets critized big time when he doesn't.

Yesterday, when I read your post, I wanted to complain about how ridicule the obsession of the DC fandom is over his tatoos (seriously, I couldn't care less), even on the board I participate in (DC=42 forums), which is normally pretty level-headed. But today is a pretty sad day for David since his older brother passed away last night. He had been suffering from brain cancer for 10 years. And David still managed to run the Race for Hope today in Washington. Anyway, he's receiving a lot of support from his fans and I don't really want to complain about them today (not too much anyway!).

My point is, maybe Adam is too polished and professional for a show like AI, where part of its appeal is to root for the underdog. So maybe it's harder for some viewers to want to claim responsability for his success when it's obvious that he's been working professionally for around 10 years, albeit with mitigated success, and that AI is just another way for him to gain success and not his "only shot".

As a disclaimer, I don't necessarily agree with what I wrote above, and maybe I don't even make any sense, but I just wanted to see if Adam could appear less relatable than some of the other contestants.

Take a look at the Kris fan site.

What fan site? Kris Allen Nation?

I haven't heard the four songs yet. Where did you find them? Sorry, I forgot. Are they on mj's blog?

You can download them here. They really good, make sure to check them out!

 

[ross 1]

What fan site? Kris Allen Nation?

Yes. I meant to do a link but I didn't. Sorry. Do you have the link? An essay there, that I mentioned, says what I was trying to say (only better) about how the show has favored Adam over Kris (the examples are interesting), and says some really nice things about Kris. There was also a quote from the EW on-the-scene report about the amount of support Kris has in the theatre itself from the audience there.

I was just looking at the GeoPredictions on DialIdol for each week of the Top 13.
These are the "projected winner" results. Top 13 and the following week, Top 11, Danny, by a very large margin. Top 10, Adam, huge (was that the week he did Mad World?). Top 9, Kris (the week he had the pimp spot, and sang Ain't No Sunshine). Top 8, Adam again, though not as huge as Top 10. Top 7.2, Adam again, followed closely by Kris, then Allsion. Top 7.1, actually too close for me to call. Probably Adam, with Danny second. This past week, Allison. Followed by Danny, then Kris, with Adam winning only a few states. Not sure why that happened. Voter complacency, or peaking too soon? It really does appear he was in th bottom 2.

Anyway, Adam, who didn't start out strong, overtook Danny and was probably only knocked out of the top spot once by Kris and once by Allison. Danny, on the other hand, hasn't won the night (acc. to these predictions) since Top 11.

I became an Adam fan at first more because of his personality than because of his singing! He seemed like a guy I would like to hang out with. He seemed well-spoken and thoughtful, sweet and confident at the same time.

I mainly liked his performance of Satisfaction, at the beginning. I wasn't sure if I liked him, personally. Now sometimes I actually like him more personally than as a performer. For some reason I'm a bit over him as a performer.

As to his personality, I've done theatre, and he reminds me of some (not all) guys I've known in theatre, who are nice, but sort of shallow. Self-involved, not in a "big ego" sense but just very involved in themselves (understandable, probably necessary, career-wise, but sort of boring). I don't think he's all that well-rounded. I would guess Kris and Matt are more my type of buddy, but Adam is still cool with me. Probably a lot of fun to be around. Plus, I have to respect how serious he is about his work. I love that. (A trait I think he shares with my man K-Sizzle.) I also think Allison would be a blast to hang with. Danny, maybe not so much. lol

But I agree with you, I've never seen Danny as the douchey, evil creep people on some forums (or is it all forums? I don't read many of them) do. I think he's sort of like some guys I've known who are kind of uncool or loud or whatever, but not bad people. Kris said (fondly, I think) he's easy to make fun of, and that seems right. Kind of goofy.

One thing that bugs me as we head into the final rounds, with an Adam win likely, is whether he's really the original artist people keep saying he is. I know Danny isn't very original, Allison really doesn't seem to be, and Kris obviously is, but what about Adam? I'm thinking I'm probably not going to enjoy the dance pop stuff he seems to want to record -- it's kind of why I don't listen to the station Ryan Seacrest is on.

Adam says his idol is Madonna. I don't like Madonna.

I listened to two of the new/old Kris songs. The titles aren't on the tip of my tongue right now. One had "My Lady" in the title, I think. I LOVED this one. The other one was "I Was Played," I think? (It's late, I'm fading fast!) I thought he sang brilliantly on it. The song itself seems like the type that grow on you more every time you hear it. His singing and his phrasing, the depth of emotion, or involvement, or whatever it is -- on both tunes -- I was homestly amazed. How old was he then, 21? When/where did he learn to sing and to feel, like that?

(By the way, I'm curious. What exactly was his "near-death experience" in Morocco? Do you know anything about that?)

I'd like to respond to more -- your post was fantastic, missaddicted -- but it's after one am and it's a work night so I'm gonna sign off, now.

Yeah, Arkansas is defnitely the South. Usually it's considered the Southwest. It kind of lies between the Deep South states of Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana to the east and the Southwest states of Texas and Oklahoma to the west. But it also lies just south of Missouri, which is usually considered the Midwest. (I didn't have this info in my head, I had to look at a map. There are 50 states, it's hard to remember my elementary school geography! Ha.)

 

[missaddicted]

I found the essay you were talking about. I do agree about it and as I mentionned last week, I believe, I love that Kris managed to get to top 4 without any backing from the show. I think he was fodder for sure at first, so it's quite incredible that he's still there. Most importantly, he's still there because of his talent, not a backstory or producer favoritism. I'll still be (happily) surprised if the bus doesn't come for him tomorrow. I guess we shouldn't begrudge a contestant their backing from the producers/judges, but it sometimes hard not to when a contestant has the name Danny Gokey!

I don't think he's all that well-rounded.

I don't know about that. I've never gotten the impression that he was shallow. Maybe he is, it's hard to tell. Still, when the top 7 appeared on AI Extra the night the save was used, the host asked them who the "camp counselor" was and all of them (except Danny!) pointed to Adam. Kris even added that he was very wise and gave good advice. Also, several weeks ago, a link to his brother's blog was posted on TWoP (which I didn't keep, it felt a little too much like invading someone's privacy to me), and from what I could tell, he was a very good writer, with a good head on his shoulders and quite smart. I've read some really great and witty comments from his father also. Anyway, I think that Adam has maybe more depth than your regular Hollywood "fame-hungry person" (not what I had written at first, but it didn't pass the censor!).

Kind of goofy.

Yeah, but not in a good way. Just like you said, I don't think I would enjoy hanging out with him either. The food fight with Allison should've been goofy, but it came across a bit awkward (the groping of a 17 yo, the wasting of the food, thrashing a house that is not his). I mean, Allison is 17 and probably should'nt be expected to act like an adult just yet, but it's harder to accept from a 29 yo man.

Adam says his idol is Madonna. I don't like Madonna.

Me neither. Same thing with Britney. But my main problems with them is their inability to sing live. Britney doesn't even pretend to sing live anymore. Adam is a great singer. Anyway, it's a bit hard to tell which direction Adam will go into. I either really like or dislike dance pop music right now, so it could go either way. Right now, I'm still buying what he's selling. The chance is bigger that I'll want to buy his music than Gokey's music anyway!

About his originality: I think on Idol, he's definitely original. In real life, maybe not so much. What I find surprising is that I've read that some people find him shocking? Really?

And honestly, I don't even think that Kris is that original in the real world (*gasp*). I mean, he's probably aiming for the same market as Jason Mraz, Matt Nathanson, Justin Nozuka, Missy Higgins and others. And I don't have a problem with that, because I happen to either really like or absolutely love the artists I mentionned. His phrasing and the way he uses his voice actually remind me a lot of Mraz, and Mraz is my favorite singer without a doubt.

Jason Mraz - Life Is Wonderful:

Life Is Wonderful

(By the way, I'm curious. What exactly was his "near-death experience" in Morocco? Do you know anything about that?)

I have no clue!

Yeah, Arkansas is defnitely the South. Usually it's considered the Southwest. It kind of lies between the Deep South states of Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana to the east and the Southwest states of Texas and Oklahoma to the west. But it also lies just south of Missouri, which is usually considered the Midwest. (I didn't have this info in my head, I had to look at a map. There are 50 states, it's hard to remember my elementary school geography! Ha.)

Thanks for the geography course!

Can't wait to see how tomorrow night is going to play out...