Canadian Idol Fans Watching American Idol

[missaddicted]

So, second group of 12?

I had to laugh though when I saw that the judges were taking a page from Canadian Idol and decided to change the order of judging. I really like that. Except it's still so tedious and long, it's never been that tedious on CI even with the four judges.

Jasmine: I expected better. Her performance was nothing special.

Matt: I thought he was almost bordering on horrible. I flove Viva La Vida. Like "most listened to song on my iPod" flove. And I didn't like him doing it, expecially the out of control vibrato. I like that he doesn't want to keep doing oldies like "Georgia On My Mind", but it has to be something else, if he has another shot.

Jeanine: I expected nothing. Her performance was nothing special and all over the place. The "I'm 28 and I really want this" was annoying.

Nick: I do NOT want him in the top 12. But, he was very entertaining and I LOLed all through his performance. I'm just getting a bit tired with his shtick.

Allison "only 16!!!!11": I was prepared for the worse with Alone, but she was actually pretty good. I hope she comes out of her "annoying teenager" phase though, it's absolutely uninteresting.

Kris: I said "NO!" out loud when he said that he was doing Man in the Mirror. But, I loved him. And not just because he's cute. I LOVE his voice, love, love, love. And I hate when the judges tell the contestants, you're so much better with you guitar/piano/keyboards, etc. Just allow them to play then! Another song choice probably would have been better though. I hope he makes it through. I'm not sure I should get my hopes up though...

Megan: She was good I guess, but not that much, and I find her kind of annoying and off-putting. I can't really explain it though. Maybe it's the arm swinging. It was way too distracting for me. Didn't Amberly sing that song last summer? Or maybe Carly Rae in Season 5? Yes, I'm quite sure Carly Rae sang it.

Matt: No thanks. What a boring performance! Brian Melo did that song so much better and with so much more energy on CI season 5.

Jesse: I like her voice and liked her performance, but she probably won't be memorable enough. I had to laugh though when she asked Randy to clarify his critique! Can't say the dawg isn't confusing sometimes. Love her for that!

Kai: He had a better voice than I remembered, but his performance was such a big pile of cheese...

Mishavonna: Nice voice. Pretty boring though.

Adam: I have to admit that I like him, as a persone. I expected to HATE his performance though. But I have to admit that I kinda liked it. I'm glad he chose an upbeat song, instead of a ballad as was rumored. I don't like when he gets all shrieky, but I guess it wasn't bad enough to make me press mute tonight. He's top 12 for sure.

 

[ross 1]

I was left mostly cold by Adam, though I can admit he can do amazing technical things with his voice. Just not sure I enjoy hearing those things. I don't like Axl Rose, either. He got the pimp spot, the camerawork, most of the make-up, and all the praise, plus he's nice, and he loves his mom. I guess we'll be seeing him for a while. He can entertain. I think he has a thin/shrill vocal quality that could grate, though.

I liked Jesse's Bette Davis Eyes, I don't care if it's not current or hip, I loved her singing. I didn't watch her, I was in the kitchen and listening; a lot of the criticism I've read is about her presentation, but vocally I was impressed.

Also liked Mishavonna's voice. Didn't get the pimpiing of...Allison? 16 year old who sang Heart? I thought she was okay to start with but got mighty shrieky. And her conversational skills made me lol.

I liked Kris Allen the best, but then I liked him best going in, having checked out some of his stuff on YouTube (thanks to you). Maybe a show like this is not the place for a real singer? I mean, a recording artist type with a bit of subtlety. He's an awesome singer! This show is insane for hiding him up until now. I voted for him, Jesse, and Mishavonna -- and one vote for Adam, just to see if the line would be jammed (it wasn't).

Nick annoys me, even though I almost laughed a couple of times. I was looking at the Gabbery thread and regis linked to Jacob's Space Oddity on CI2 as an example of how camp ought to be done. Funny because I though of Jacob when I was looking at Nick, and yet when I actually saw the clip I could not believe the basic difference. Jacob was trying to entertain, give a good performance, and sing well, while Nick gets his laughs by being a joke and making a mockery of everything. Not that AI isn't ripe to be made mockery of.

I never really saw the show before but it seems pretty close to jumping the shark, if I'm any judge!

I agreed with practically all your observations re the others. Disappointed in Kai, especially.

 

[missaddicted]

Kris freaking made it! This Canadian girl thanks you ross for voting for him last night! I even had managed to not get my hopes up today and thought that maybe he would get a wildcard. Then, I arrived home at 8:35, turned on the TV and there he was, singing. I'm a happy girl right now. I just hope they let the contestants use their instruments in top 12, I really want him to see him use his guitar.

I liked the group sing better than last week, but I thought that it almost seemed as though they were doing lipsync.

You know, I think a contestant like Brooke (or Jason Castro, even though I didn't like him at all) shows that the show can be good for more subtle contestants. I think this year's semis format is just harder for those contestants. Kris making it without any significant airtime shows that it's still possible though. The "pretty" probably helped him though. Like Sebastian on CI I guess, though Sebastian might be a more interesting and quirky performer, while Kris is a better singer.

Anyway, I bought Brooke's song today and also her duet with Michael Johns. I like the duet better, but I enjoy her song, even though it was a bit rough vocally for her tonight. I wish her the best.

When I saw Danny go congratulate Adam and put his arm around him, I kind of laughed thinking about what some have said about "the drama" it would create with both of them living in the same house, etc. Well, they seem to get along great, I don't think any drama will emerge between the two.

I think that from this group, Matt G and Megan have the best hopes for wildcard spots, though I hope it would be Jesse.

I'm not really looking forward to next week, except maybe for Felicia.

I wouldn't say that the show has jumped the shark just yet. Of course, the format of the semis suck and they are many uninteresting contestants or some who are only there for the drama. I'll wait to see how it is in 2 weeks to really make a judgement on that. Right now, the top 12 is shaping up to be interesting enough, in my opinion anyway.

 

[missaddicted]

It's funny, I think Kris making the top 12 has altered my perceptions a bit. This morning after reading your post, I wanted to say that Simon saying in an interview yesterday that they probably would have a top 12 full of people with diversity and personality was pretty much an indication that the show was bordering on jumping the shark. I want to see talent, Simon, not diversity or personality! Well, a bit of both is good, but talent is the main thing. I guess they tried talent last year and the ratings went down. But, the ratings are not going back up this year, so I don't think the supposed lack of personality from the contestants last year was a problem.

Looking around, the reaction to Kris making the top 12 is pretty good. Some are pissed, but most are happily surprised. It's a better reaction than the one Michael Sarver got last week I think. Also, it's good that he still has room to improve and to "grow" as cliché as that sounds. He might end up being interesting underdog... or so I wish!

 

[ross 1]

Okay so tonight I was working late, and at about 7:45 I realized I'd forgotten to record the results show. So since I don't live far from work, I made an excuse and rushed home, set the recorder, then flew back. And then I thought: I've lost my mind.

But when I got home, and started watching, I was glad I didn't miss anything -- especially when Kris made Top 12. Woooooo!!!! I almost jumped off the couch. Like you, I really had resigned myself to wild card. Wow, this guy is good. Did you happen to notice him in the group sing? He was kind of hemmed in by the "choreography" designed for non-dancers, but in the right setting, moves could definitely be busted by this dude, I have no doubt. Plus he's a hot guy who doesn't act like it. I like him.

Looking around, the reaction to Kris making the top 12 is pretty good. Some are pissed, but most are happily surprised. It's a better reaction than the one Michael Sarver got last week I think. Also, it's good that he still has room to improve and to "grow" as cliché as that sounds. He might end up being interesting underdog... or so I wish!

I think he wants it, and he's going to work hard. I also think the more he's seen, the more liked he's going to be.

The Lambert: Okay, he was amazing in the sing-out. He's pretty darn entertaining. But, boy, I really hate his look, the flat-ironed hair, thick make-up, the way he looks like he's wearing a Las Vegas costume designer's re-interpretion of "scene kid." But he's a freak of nature, that sound that came out of him was so freaking amazing. And he can also sing "normally," so we'll be treated to that side of him, too. Yeah, apparently he was going to sing (talk about wrong) Never Gonna Fall In Love Again, originally! This, I understand, was nixed by TPTB. Good.

And...I can never think of her name...oh, yeah, Allison. She was quite a bit better, tonight. I still think she's kind of rough around the edges in a lot of ways, and I can't see her winning. But I think she'll be interesting.

I liked Mishavonna's dialogue with Ryan tonight. I've read some rather rough criticism of her looks, which I don't get; I think she's a cute girl, with a nice smile and a good personality. I hope she gets a second chance.

Unfortunately Nick is still available to return in the wild card rounds, too.

When I saw Danny go congratulate Adam and put his arm around him, I kind of laughed thinking about what some have said about "the drama" it would create with both of them living in the same house, etc. Well, they seem to get along great, I don't think any drama will emerge between the two.

I haven't read any of that, is it supposed to be because Danny is all churchy and Adam is gay? I think speculation like that is pretty goofy. They both seem like polite, friendly guys, so I'm with you, I can't see a problem.

I wouldn't say that the show has jumped the shark just yet.

Whew. I think you're right. For now.

I could write more but I need to go to bed.

Oh, yeah, here's a nice thing with Nate that I like.

Nate

Maybe he'll do better than we suppose.

Oh, btw, the judges' comments about how this contestant or that was so good when they played an instrument drive me crazy, too! Just let them play instruments!

 

[missaddicted]

The Lambert: Okay, he was amazing in the sing-out. He's pretty darn entertaining. But, boy, I really hate his look, the flat-ironed hair, thick make-up, the way he looks like he's wearing a Las Vegas costume designer's re-interpretion of "scene kid." But he's a freak of nature, that sound that came out of him was so freaking amazing. And he can also sing "normally," so we'll be treated to that side of him, too.

Are you starting to like Adam a little, ross? It sures sounds like it! I can't say I blame you though.

Actually, it took me some time to come back and post, but I was trying to make up my mind about Adam... and I don't think I have yet. On the one hand, he comes across as likeable, smart and genuine on the show and in interviews (the ones that him, Kris and Allison did on Friday), and I like him for that. He even managed to be super honest and pretty much admit that the contestants were getting along well, except with Tatiana. Also, I re-watched his performance a few times, both the one from Wednesday and the one from Thursday, and I have to admit I was thoroughly entertained.

On the other hand, I can say that I still don't really like his OTT singing and wouldn't buy a CD of someone singing like that. I usually prefer subtlety and singers don't need to have the most incredible range to win me over. Like you said though, I'm pretty sure he can tone it down and still be a good singer. His look is also not the best. I just want to cut his bangs. Also, I saw pictures of him with his natural lighter color and it was better. He has beautiful eyes though.

I guess most people are either in the "love him" or in the "hate him" camp already, but I guess I'm still in the wait and see mode. I can't really wait to see what he does next though, so that can only be a good sign, right?

About Nate: I'm on a David Cook board, and most seem to really like him there, but I'm still unsure. I mean his Bleeding Song is interesting and pretty good (though I hate that song very very much), but I'm not sure he'll be able to overcome the opinion that most have about him, which is not positive. I think he'll either be amazing or a trainwreck on Tuesday. We'll know soon enough!

 

[ross 1]

Are you starting to like Adam a little, ross? It sures sounds like it! I can't say I blame you though.

Actually, it took me some time to come back and post, but I was trying to make up my mind about Adam... and I don't think I have yet. On the one hand, he comes across as likeable, smart and genuine on the show and in interviews (the ones that him, Kris and Allison did on Friday), and I like him for that. He even managed to be super honest and pretty much admit that the contestants were getting along well, except with Tatiana. Also, I re-watched his performance a few times, both the one from Wednesday and the one from Thursday, and I have to admit I was thoroughly entertained.

Okay, get a cup of coffee or a bagel or something, because this is a long one.

This is funny, because I'm feeling the same way about Adam: I haven't actually made up my mind. I'm not actually a fan, yet. Not that he isn't entertaining and awesomely talented. I guess I just have to see more of what he does. Looking at his YouTube stuff, it's obvious he has many sides. I'm not sure who the real Adam is right now.

Re his recent interview chatter:

He says he only does musical theatre to pay the bills, he doesn't listen to show tunes on his ipod. But he says the reason he wears makeup offstage and dresses like he does is because he's in theatre. Not that that's a contradiction, exactly. But it begs the question: who are you, dude?

I have no problem with his being in theatre or listening to show music, myself. Hard to believe he wouldn't, at least occasionally, since he sings it. But he's very aware of what he needs to say and do. To get votes. He seems to feel he needs to distance himself from his background and prove he's a pop singer. If you remember his taped speech, before his performance, Wednesday, I think he mentioned something about knowing how to get a job. I think he's approaching this competition that way. It's smart to do that. The thing you want to focus on is winning.

Remember Martin Kerr? Well, we do, but who else does?

You have to play the game. So I don't blame Adam for spinning what he needs to spin. On some levels I think he's genuine. His stuff about Tatiana was awesome. If he actually comes out and says he's gay, I'd be surprised, maybe, but I think he would if he thought it was a good publicity move (cynical ross, here). Anyway I have to give him credit for at least not acting like he isn't. He's wearing the whole MAC make-up line, at times, it seems.

And, by the way, wearing make-up onstage is part of your job. Offstage, it's your choice. Being an actor has nothing to do with it; sorry, Adam!

So, yeah, basically I have no specific convictions about him, at this point; he needs to show me exactly who he is, and then I'll figure out if I want that person to be the Idol.

Right now I'm just enjoying him, I guess.

P.S. According to spoilers on mj's blog that I read prior to Wednesday, Adam was originally supposed to sing Eric Carmen's Never Gonna Fall In Love Again. Yipe. Apparently, cooler heads prevailed! That never would have shown his vocal range or his entertaiment value, and I think he would have been waving bye-bye, had he gone that route (he may still do that song, but now he can more safely try it, I guess).

Kris is, of course, totally different, on so many levels. He may turn out to be a one-hit wonder, but, I don't know. His voice is really good. I think in that Over The Rainbow clip it's was great. I've listened to it several times (and up till now I didn't even like that version). Considering that it's live, I think it's particularly good, because his pitch and phrasing, timing, what have you, are studio quality, almost.

I also think (at least for me) his personality works as a nice antidote to the OTT Allison (and even Adam. Even Danny). While he seems like a kid who works at a gas station, who just wandered into the studio by mistake, I find that kind of refreshing.

I liked his answer when he was asked whether, being from Arkansas, Hollywood was a culture shock to him. He politely answered that he's traveled before. It's typical of U.S. media to pigeonhole someone from Arkansas as a hick who's never been off the farm.

About Nate: I'm on a David Cook board, and most seem to really like him there, but I'm still unsure. I mean his Bleeding Song is interesting and pretty good (though I hate that song very very much), but I'm not sure he'll be able to overcome the opinion that most have about him, which is not positive. I think he'll either be amazing or a trainwreck on Tuesday. We'll know soon enough!

Interesting, thanks for sharing, re the Davd Cook board and their impressions. I wouldn't have thought they'd like him.

Not a Bleeding Love fan, myself (shades of Mark Day!), but Nate actually made me like it. He wasn't really performing, in that clip, just sitting in the airport, singing for no reason, and I hope when he gets up onstage he remembers to relax as much as he's able to, because he's better when he's relaxed, I think. I feel like pulling for this kid, for some reason. For one thing, he's apparently auditioned numerous times (two times this season before he actually made it), which I think shows how much he wants it. And, for another, he lives only about 5 or 10 miles from the Quebec border, so he must be one of the few AI contestants who gets CTV and maybe has actually seen Canadian Idol! :smile: Ha.

I like underdogs, and I think he's almost the underdog, in this competition, so if he manages to impress, this week, I'll be happy for him. He's not especially mature or sophisticated for his age (19, I think), so whether he can actually compete in this context remains to be seen. I agree with you, he'll either be great or go down in flames Tuesday.

Wow, we get serious about this cheesy TV show!

But it's fun. ;-)

 

[ross 1]

OMG.
Too late to edit my post. Seems like a lot of my questions about who Adam really is have been answered today. Wooo!! Check out these pix. I guess they originally appeared on VFTW.

After the Burning Man photos, there are others (of Adam in drag, etc.) after the comments. I seriously think Adam has to appear like this on the show! Simon's head might actually explode.

Anyway, I told you I thought he had many sides. lol

(BTW, Burning Man is this.)

 

[missaddicted]

LOL, just saw your post from yesterday. Were you really suprised? I mean the thought never even crossed my mind that he could be straight. He's denitely not in the closet (maybe a bit more subtle than Nate let's say), but I don't think he'll ever come out on the show. If people from California could vote for Prop 8, I don't even want to think what people from other parts of the U.S. will think of him being overtly gay on the show. And I guess some fangirls would still want to believe that they could have their chance with him! Personally, I don't care and honestly, I love his make-up in the pictures!

Anyway, here's my recap for tonight:

First, I wouldn't put any of them through the top 12. Except Lil maybe. And not because I'm a fan. I was absolutely underwhelmed tonight. Also, two Alicia Keys songs and two Elton John songs? Way to have some imagination, kids.

Von: He didn't sound good in his lower register, while he sounded better in his higher register. I was just so distracted by all the weird faces that he made to even enjoy his performance.

Taylor: The first of two Alicia Keys. She didn't sound good. Syesha sang that song way better last year. At least, I think Syesha did that song. She wasn't very memorable to me.

Alex: He's a funny guy, but the vocals were just not good. The growls were scary and really out of place.

Arianna: Not good, I cringed several times. She is cute as a button though.

Ju'not: I have serious hate for that song. I think I hated his version even more if that's even possible. He made a cheesier version of an already cheesy song. No thanks, Ju'not.

Kristin: What was that, the disco version of a perfectly good song? No thanks, Kristin. And she seemed like a diva in the making. Diva in the pejorative meaning.

Nate: I thought he would either be amazing or a trainwreck. He was neither. I'm disappointed.

Felicia: Her youtube of that song was way better. I didn't like her as much as I thought. I thought she had too many weird vocal affectations while she could have just sung the song in a simple way.

Scott: He has a nice tone but way too many vocal problems. And no, Kara, the fact that he has heart doesn't make me forget the vocal problems. The high five was classic though!

Kendall: Country girl? I'll pass.

Jorge: I think at that point I was very much ready for the show to be over. He was ok, but did he deserve the tonguebath that the judges gave him? I don't think so.

Lil: Thank you Lil for not choosing a Mariah/Whitney song. That song suited you just fine. Of course, she deserves her spot in the top 12, but I would never buy her music.

Man, that was the worst of the 3 semis shows for me, I couldn't wait for it to be over.

 

[ross 1]

LOL, just saw your post from yesterday. Were you really suprised? I mean the thought never even crossed my mind that he could be straight. He's denitely not in the closet (maybe a bit more subtle than Nate let's say), but I don't think he'll ever come out on the show. If people from California could vote for Prop 8, I don't even want to think what people from other parts of the U.S. will think of him being overtly gay on the show. And I guess some fangirls would still want to believe that they could have their chance with him! Personally, I don't care and honestly, I love his make-up in the pictures!

I'm wasn't surprised he's gay. I was surprised he's apparently a drag queen. I guess it's a streotype, but it doesn't necessarily follow that if a guy is gay he likes to dress up in women's clothes. So that was the part that surprised me. It ain't every day a guy in the AI Top 12 wears a dress. (And wears one so well. lol)

The show tonight:

Two hours of solo singing is hard to take. I think they need a dance act, maybe, or jugglers. Wait, this isn't a variety show, is it?

My fave performance was Ju'Not Joyner's. I feel he made the 'emotional connection' everyone always talks about. I just liked it, I thought it was really beautiful. (Will he get into the Top 12 tomorrow? I don't know.)

I'm not a big fan of Lil Rounds so far. Basically, her singing style doesn't appeal to me. Her voice doesn't either, at this point. Maybe with different music it would/will. She just seemed like she was shouting.

By the way, I can't believe how shameless/blatant this show is, putting their faves in the pimp spot each week.

I haven't liked Von up till now, but he did some amazing stuff with You're All I need To Get By. His tone isn't all that great, but it was an expert vocal. He was really one of the best of the night. But was he really being Von? And would he have gotten more votes had he Vonned it up more?

Alex, I hope you enjoyed your stay in Hollywood, dawg. Bye-bye.

Arianna: not good. If there's any hope for her it's Thursday's wild card show.
But I don't think she's ready/good enough to swim with the sharks.

Taylor and Kirtsen both seem like nice girls. Taylor was a little flat (sharp?), and it wasn't a great song choice, but she was feeling it, at least. Kirsten was really good, I thought. Not brilliant, but the judges were a bit hard on her, from song choice to looks.

Scott MacIntyre has a very mediocre voice, in my opinion. He sounds something like Joshua Seller. I mean, he deserved all the applause. He's doing something pretty amazing; he's an inspiration. He also seems like an awesome person. But I don't like his singing very much. Piano or no piano.

Nate: I don't know why they kept him up there so long after he sang. Maybe they like him and wanted to give him his full fifteen minutes of fame before sending him home? Or maybe they thought he might be freaky and entertaining (actually, he just seemed like a nice kid).

He chose a weird song, and then he sang it wrong. I kind of like his voice. If he wanted to be a frontman for a pop-punk band, he has a decent enough voice for that. People who say he should do musical theatre don't see a lot of musical theatre, I guess. Since his voice isn't good enough.

The judges obviously like Felicia but she leaves me kind of cold. Kendall was terrible.

And Jorge...they obviously love Jorge. I guess he sings well, but that was nothing original or special, to me.

 

[damngrumpy]

The problem with idol this year is that the contestants are not nearly as good over all, and somehow it leaves me a little flat.

 

[missaddicted]

I'm wasn't surprised he's gay. I was surprised he's apparently a drag queen. I guess it's a streotype, but it doesn't necessarily follow that if a guy is gay he likes to dress up in women's clothes. So that was the part that surprised me. It ain't every day a guy in the AI Top 12 wears a dress. (And wears one so well. lol)

Oh, I didn't mean to imply that because he's gay, it's obvious that he should dress as a drag queen. I guess I just wasn't really surprised by those pictures after watching some of his youtube videos! And if these pictures existed somewhere, they were bound to come out. Nothing stays private for the American Idols. Also, I think it's the pictures of him kissing his boyfriend that were more a giveaway of his sexual orientation, and not necessarily the pictures of him as a drag queen!

ross, I enjoy reading two versions of your posts! I always read the one I receive in my e-mail and then I have to read your posts again after you edit them!

I guess you enjoyed the show a little more than me. Maybe I was just in a bad mood and very tired because I just didn't find anybody I would want to root for from yesterday.

Ju'not was technically good, but I was just seriously bored. Personally, I just didn't find anything interesting or original about him or his voice. The fact that I hate that song didn't help though. The same thing could be said about Lil. I guess I wast just relieved she came out with a more uptempo number (especially after Jorge put me to sleep) instead of the expected ballad.

You know what I now appreciate even more about CI? The song choices. I don't know if it's because the contestants can choose from a wider selection on CI, but the choices are often so unoriginal on AI. Makes me appreciate David Cook even more (if that was even possible!) for his out of the box song choices and arrangements last year.

The problem with idol this year is that the contestants are not nearly as good over all, and somehow it leaves me a little flat.

I agree with you. There are a lot of mediocre singers. I guess it makes it easier for them to pimp their favorites...

 

[ross 1]

You know what I now appreciate even more about CI? The song choices. I don't know if it's because the contestants can choose from a wider selection on CI, but the choices are often so unoriginal on AI. Makes me appreciate David Cook even more (if that was even possible!) for his out of the box song choices and arrangements last year.

Yes! I loved the song choices on CI last year. They were fresh. There was indie stuff. And often they seemed to be favorite songs of the contestants, right? So they told you a lot about the singers who chose them, don't you think?

Hey, you know what, though? The past three weeks they've been limited to song selections from the Billboard Top 100. Do you think that has led to boring song selections? I'd think that'd be a pretty wide selection. But it wouldn't include the sort of stuff Mitch did sometimes on CI, for ex., Joel Plaskett. Drew sang Blind Melon, Hoobastank and Neverending White Lights. Mookie did Valerie by the Zutons.

Can you see Tatiana choosing any of this stuff? Or Anoop? You know, I don't think it's so much that the contestants on CI can choose a wider selection as it is that the singers chosen to compete on AI are so mainstream to begin with. Oh! And I think they're using a track, which may somehow limit song choices. Can you see doing Radiohead to a track?

You know, it would be fun if they did a Canadian Artists theme night on AI, since some of the best CI performances seem to come from Canadian theme nights, don't they? I'm not sure the AI contestants would know what to do. They'd probably sing Guy Lombardo.

Oh, I didn't mean to imply that because he's gay, it's obvious that he should dress as a drag queen. I guess I just wasn't really surprised [by those pictures after watching some of his youtube videos! And if these pictures existed somewhere, they were bound to come out. Nothing stays private for the American Idols. Also, I think it's the pictures of him kissing his boyfriend that were more a giveaway of his sexual orientation, and not necessarily the pictures of him as a drag queen!

ross, I enjoy reading two versions of your posts! I always read the one I receive in my e-mail and then I have to read your posts again after you edit them!

missaddicted, I lol'd at that last part! You read my mind! I actually thought, yesterday, as I heavily edited my post: I hope she reads the edited version after she reads the email... I guess I wondered about that because I was so unhappy with the first stuff I wrote. I'm happy to find out you take the time to read my edits! Ha. You rock.

I was pretty tired when I wrote my post, and I think I was responding more to a lot of stuff I had read on other forums. Not to anything you posted. I understood what you meant, I didn't actually mean to question it. We're actually in agreement re Adam, it seems to me.

Well, I just watched the results.

Somehow it seemed they were almost hiding Tatiana in that group (or I just didn't see her), because when she was called down, I was somewhat shocked, and not in a good way. I had forgotten her, I guess. Hate. HATE her. lol

I was happy Jesse got another chance (wonder who they displaced to put her through? Or were they just being dramatic for TV?). I would guess right now that Anoop is a shoo in. The rest, I don't know. Any ideas?

I can't tell if the contestants are actually dull, or mediocre, or if it's just tiring to listen to them all in this weird, 12 a night for 3 weeks set-up. I mean, we have seen no one do two full numbers, at this point. I prefer the way it was on CI last season, where the group is whittled down from 24 to 16 to 10 (I think that's how it went).

I wasn't surprised by the results at all. It's amazing how the vote follows almost exactly the amount of pimpage each contestant receives from the judges.

 

[missaddicted]

Can you see Tatiana choosing any of this stuff? Or Anoop? You know, I don't think it's so much that the contestants on CI can choose a wider selection as it is that the singers chosen to compete on AI are so mainstream to begin with. Oh! And I think they're using a track, which may somehow limit song choices. Can you see doing Radiohead to a track?

Yeah, I think you're right, that's probably a big part of the problem. Well, it's a problem for me anyway. We'll see, maybe we could have a few surprises along the way this season, though I'm sure the choices will never be as interesting as they were on CI last season.

Somehow it seemed they were almost hiding Tatiana in that group (or I just didn't see her), because when she was called down, I was somewhat shocked, and not in a good way. I had forgotten her, I guess. Hate. HATE her. lol

I think you're not alone. The other contestants didn't seem thrilled either. In those who already made the top 12, I think only Scott (!) and Kris were clapping when her name was announced, and Kris wasn't clapping very enthusiastically! I hope they don't put her in the top 12 just for the drama factor, because there are others more deserving than her in these 8 people. Like Jesse. I was also happily suprised she made it. Maybe she replaced Felicia? Or Kristin? I think only Von made it from last night's show, while at least 4 contestants made it from last week's show.

I also think Anoop is a shoo-in, as is Megan Corkrey I think, unless she's terrible tomorrow. I would bet on another girl to make it to the top 12 to equilibrate things a little (hoping it's Jesse!!). I'm not sure AI TPTB would be have been thrilled with the 8 guys-2 girls ratio from CI.

I wasn't surprised by the results at all. It's amazing how the vote follows almost exactly the amount of pimpage each contestant receives from the judges.

At least, they kept the suspense for later in the episode and Lil learned right away that she had made it. Which was the least surprising thing ever. Maybe they kept poor Jorge for last since they knew they would be short on time. I'm not a fan, but the guy at least didn't deserve to have his song cut out like this!

I'm so ready for the top 12 to start. Go Kris! I would also say Go Danny and Go Adam, but I don't think they are going away anytime soon. I'll try to post my complete impressions of the top 12 tomorrow night.

 

[ross 1]

Another reason for the flat feel to the show may be the lack of a band, and the contestants not being allowed to use instruments, up until now. I was waiting for Hollywood week partly so I could hear them with a band, and playing instruments. When that didn't happen, I forgot about it, for the most part, but it's probably unconscious, you miss it on some level. It becomes very much a big karaoke competition.

The other thing is that with 36 contestants you're just bound to get more filler.

 

[ross 1]

Oops, I meant "Top 36," back there, not "Hollywood week."

 

[missaddicted]

Another reason for the flat feel to the show may be the lack of a band, and the contestants not being allowed to use instruments, up until now. I was waiting for the top 36 partly so I could hear them with a band, and playing instruments. When that didn't happen, I forgot about it, for the most part, but it's probably unconscious, you miss it on some level. It becomes very much a big karaoke competition.

Oh, I never forgot about it, I'm pretty sure I complained at least a few times about it! At least, that part of the competition is over. Hope so anyway! And there was actually a band tonight, I was confused! Glad to see you again AI band!

The manipulations from TPTB are so obvious this year and the proof is that pretty much everything I read today indeed happened tonight: the top 13, Anoop and Megan making it for sure, as well as the huge probablity that Matt and Jasmine would make it. It was all so predictable tonight.

At least, Matt was very good tonight. I was impressed with him for the first time, but I have to admit that my expectations were low after last week's mess. Anoop is so likable, but I'm not sure if I really like his vocals just yet. Megan and Jasmine? Bleh. Jasmine is nothing special and my dislike of Megan is growing more everyday. I would have prefered Jesse. At least Tatiana didn't make it! She didn't change her song, but she brought the crazy tonight, boy was that uncomfortable.

I thought I would try to put the 13 finalists in a few categories representing how I feel about them right now. It might all change next week, but for now this is it.

1) The constestants I'm excited about and want to see more of:

Kris: Right now, I would probably say that he's my favorite of the top 13. He would probably make the kind of music that I enjoy and I absolutely love his voice. He had a few vocal problems last week, but his take on "Over the Rainbow" from youtube showed me that he can have almost pitch-perfect vocals when playing live, just like you mentionned, ross. He better bring it though, with others like Matt and Anoop, who might have bigger fanbases than him, now in the finals. I'm counting on you my little underdog!

Danny: Yes, after everything is said and done, I still enjoy his voice very much. With the good song choices, I'm totally on board. That's if he makes good song choices and stops wanting to be "Inspiration Man". I reserve the right to definitely turn on him sooner or later. I wish I won't have to.

Adam: I can't declare myself a fan just yet of his often OTT vocals, but at the same time, I can't really wait to see what he does next and I'm counting on being very much entertained!

2) The contestants I might end of liking (or not!) but that I need to see more of:

Matt: He impressed me tonight and I liked his tone. He's probably a very good musician also. We'll see, but I have good feeling right now that I didn't have before.

Anoop: He's extremely likeable, but it'll definitely depend on his song choices. He has pleasant vocals, but I'm not sure I would enjoy listening to a whole CD of his voice.

Alexis: I didn't like her audition, but I enjoyed her performances 2 weeks ago, especially when she sang after making the top 12. It will all depend on how she does in the next few weeks.

Allison: I also liked her well enough last week, but I'm unsure if she's going to be able to bring it every week.

3) The contestants that I don't really care about, but I don't mind them either:

Lil: I'll probably be tired of her in a few weeks, but right now I can admit that she's pretty good even if I don't really find anything interesting about her.

Michael: I think he'll be gone soon enough, but I don't have the "hate" feelings that a lot have towards him. His vocals are ok, maybe even pleasant, but he's not memorable in any way.

Scott: I don't think he would have made it if not for his disability, but I kind of enjoy his tone. His vocals are not that impressive though and I think it's going to be a bit hard for people to really connect with him, not that that's necessarily his fault.

4) The contestants I already want off my TV:

Jasmine: I guess I don't mind her that much yet, but I would have taken Jesse or Felicia over her in a heartbeat. She's just very generic and her voice is mediocre at best.

Jorge: He bored me so much yesterday and I didn't feel the emotional connection at all. Good vocals, but I'm so not interested.

Megan: The one I dislike the most right now. I read something that I totally agree with: she might be current, but she's just derivative. I dislike her vocals, her vacant stare, her lack of stage presence. Twice now, she stood behind the mike stand shaking her booty with that weird movement (her only possible move it seems) that is already getting on my nerves. I usually like quirky, but not her. Thanks but no thanks judges.

So, bring on the top 13... and don't forget the instruments!

 

[ross 1]

9 chosen by the voters, 4 by the judges (almost a third). Simon was right, this isn't a democracy.

Okay, I didn't see the 13 coming. But I knew at least Kristen and Anoop were foregone conclusions. (I was amazed at how the judges avoided discussing her singing! I was under the impression this was a singing contest.) After a while it was easy to tell who was going to be chosen. Whenever a judge started talking about presence or energy or anything else unrelated to music, the person was in. I don't know how Matt managed to squeak by, singing as well as he did.

This show. Are we supposed to believe that the judges somehow conferred during the commercial break, and came up with their choices in four minutes flat? Or that they were able to add a fourth contestant at the last minute, without consulting the producers? Obviously everything was decided long before the singing started tonight.

Probably the best perfomances for me tonight were by Jesse, Matt, and Ricky. Ricky wasn't awesome, but he was far better than Anoop (as he was the last time they performed on the same night). Jesse wasn't brilliant, either, but she was much better than the two girls who were chosen. Tatiana wasn't bad. She was a bit syrupy for my taste, but she did sing pretty well. I'm glad she went home, though.
Or to her therapist.

Von was better Tuesday. Not that bad tonight. He seems sincerely nice. Maybe in an Adamless year his singing style would have been more welcome.

I agree with many of your assessments of the 13, missaddicted. Kris is definitely my favorite going in. Last week he didn't impress me in his reprise, much, but he wasn't singing to compete. His tone is great, plus I've noticed a few times that he can really move. I wonder if he can also rock out? Anyway, I want to hear him with the band, and playing guitar. Go, man.

Danny. I think the haters somehow made me like him more than I did originally. Yet, a guy who can choose any song he wants, and chooses to sing Mariah may not be my type! If he shows more imagination and (I doubt it) hipness I'll jump on that bandwagon. And, oh, yeah: my dentist likes him. I discovered this while having a tooth filled last week. "Have you been watching American Idol? How about that Danny Gokey, huh? The guy whose wife died? He's awesome, huh?" (ross: "Derrnoh Gurrkah? Yuh, heesh aursummsh.") "Okay, now spit."

Adam. I have been singing Satisfaction for two weeks now. I don't know if that means anything. During CI6 I was always singing what Mitch had peformed the previous week. So if that's any indication, Adam's headed for second place. I don't yet know what Adam will be like, but because I think he's not married to one singing style (and I have no problem with that), he's going to be super fun to watch. By the way, the other day I was in the library, and a couple of girls who were about 12 were making color copies of pictures from the internet. The pictures were of Joe Jonas and Adam Lambert.

Right now these three are the standouts to me.

Why they chose to bring in the band tonight must have had to do with there being no time to record tracks for those last-minute performances. Whatever the reason, I was so glad to hear the band at last.

 

[missaddicted]

Thanks for the stories about your dentist and the girls in the librarie, ross! AI isn't really a watercooler topic with my family/friends or at work, so I have to rely on the forums. And I have to admit that I'm pretty much an Idol fan in the closet anyway!

So, next week's theme is Michael Jackson songs. They're also planning a Motown week and a Country week with a pretty limited song choice list (Grand Ol' Opry or something like that). Zzzzzz. Admitedly, I listened to plenty of Michael Jackson when I was a kid and still enjoy a lot of his songs, but Motown and Country? Not really interested. Motown songs must be so overdone on AI. I guess it can really be worse than Dolly Parton week, Mariah Carey week and Andrew Lloyd Webber week, three themes they had last year.

Too bad for Kris, who already sang a Michael Jackson song during the semis. I hope he'll pick a song that he'll be able to change a little, maybe do it in an acoustic/folk manner, "making it his own" as they like to say. I thinks that's what he needs to do to stand out, since I expect so many of them to do karaoke version of MJ songs. Also, isn't it weird that the judges (Kara at least) said to Stephen Fowler that MJ songs shouldn't be touched, but then they use his songs for a theme week? Way to be consistent show.

I hope nobody touches Billie Jean. When David Cook did Chris Cornell's version of Billie Jean Billie Jean last year during top 10 week, he did a showstopper performance (in the pimp spot) which propelled him to frontrunner status. (By the way, it had been a while since I watched the judges comments for that performance and I just had to laugh how it was obvious that David couldn't care less about what Randy and Paula had to say and was just waiting for Simon's opinion!)

So, any song suggestions? I'm really bad at predicting song choices, maybe I have to think about it some more.

 

[ross 1]

Thanks for the stories about your dentist and the girls in the librarie, ross! AI isn't really a watercooler topic with my family/friends or at work, so I have to rely on the forums. And I have to admit that I'm pretty much an Idol fan in the closet anyway!

Ha. I suspected you were closeted where Idol is concerned, missaddicted! I'm more or less of the same mindset. I never was an Idol fan until last year, and when I heard people discussing AI in previous years I have to confess I kind of thought: tsk tsk. Poor misguided losers. lol

But it was so weird watching Canadian Idol last season, and enjoying it so much, and having nobody to talk to about it (except on the forums), that when I started watching AI this season I thought: the hell with it, I want to discuss it. I've been surprised how many people watch this show I never susupected. People I work with. My cousin. My dentist, as I said (he doesn't like Adam Lambert at all, btw). One friend, I found out, even went to see last season's Top 10 tour when it came around. She likes Archie. *groans*

So, next week's theme is Michael Jackson songs. They're also planning a Motown week and a Country week with a pretty limited song choice list (Grand Ol' Opry or something like that). Zzzzzz. Admitedly, I listened to plenty of Michael Jackson when I was a kid and still enjoy a lot of his songs, but Motown and Country? Not really interested. Motown songs must be so overdone on AI. I guess it can really be worse than Dolly Parton week, Mariah Carey week and Andrew Lloyd Webber week, three themes they had last year.

Yeah, I went to the VFTW site and saw the spoilers for theme nights. (I didn't enjoy it when VFTW dissed CI6 -- I like CI too much. I have no such problem with AI, though! And I've been finding the site hilarious.)

I don't know if you ever look at the "International Idols vs. American Idol" thread on the AI forums (under "Idol Entertainment"). Check it out. It was started by Miracle Max. Today I posted over there and remarked that the announced AI8 themes have me snoozing. So we're in total agreement, there!

I'm not a big Motown fan, definitely not a country fan, and was never an M.J. fan! Of the three genres, I think Motown would be the least painful for me. I think it's too bad, as you said, Kris already did Michael, especially since there are probably a limited number of his songs Kris would be right for. So far, the genres would seem to favor the r&b singers. And the country singers, except there aren't any, are there?

Oh, yeah, thanks for the David Cook video. I saw it once before--it's sooooo good. I really am not a Michael J. fan, but the Chris Cornell version done by Cook is awesome.

Song suggestions? I am never good at that but I'm interested in any you've got.