Anyone watch "American Idol"?

[markydefad]

We briefly discussed this summer TV phenomenon somewhere last week. This has become the "in" show to watch; every night I see the final 6 contestants walk the Red Carpet at movie premieres, etc. and lotsa Hollywood types (Sarah Michelle Gellar, Samuel L. Jackson, Susan Sarandon, etc.) admit to being hooked on the program. And the ratings are boffo for summer programming; lots of folks in the rest of the country must be watching this show also. I learned tonight on Access Hollywood that Samuel L. Jackson is a cousin of mixed-race contestant Justin Guarini!!! Who knew???

Anyway, after tonight's performances (1940's Big Band Songs performed with a 13 piece band), I'm ranking the Final 6 as follows:

6) Nikki McKibbon ("Hard-Hearted Hannah") or
5) R.J Helton ("I Won't Dance"--He forgot his lyrics; recovered nicely-BUT he's NOT up to the competition. However, he seems to have a HUGE teen girl fan base, so I'm guessing he gets one more week)
4) Christina Christian ("The Glory Of Love"- she's lovely, and a nice singer-BUT she's outclassed by 2 other ladies).
3) Justin Guarini ("Route 66"-he almost got the axe last week, BUT he recovered nicely and I'm guessing he's gonna make the final 3 or 4)
2 & 1) A TIE: I can't choose between Tamyra Gray ("Minnie The Moocher") and Kelly Clarkson ("Stuff Like That There")--EVERY WEEK they are the 2 outstanding pros. This week was no exception. They sing with such confidence and aplomb, no matter what genre they are given to choose from, that they make everyone else seem merely good amateurs. These two girls have the goods to be professional singers. Whether they could make a hit record in today's creatively bankrupt climate, who knows????

Anyone else have opinions they'd like to share????

[nrgbeat]

Didn't Justin's hairstyle go out of style about 20 years ago?

[Jeff H]

I was going to e-mail you about this, Marky, since I actually watched the whole hour last night. Surely the style of music had something to do with that (less Mariah/boy band histrionics), and it was interesting to watch these kids perform a style of music they probably never knew existed before last week.

I agree almost completely with your rankings: As much as I've liked Nikki all along, her performance last night was deadly dull. And I can't decide who was the best, Tamyra or Kelly, though I'm leaning toward Kelly.

The only change I would make in your rankings would be to switch Justin and Christina. She could have done "Glory of Love" better (interesting that two songs covered by Bette Midler were performed), but Justin's delivery was too self-conscious; he should just join a road company of Godspell and get it over with.

And R.J.--a.k.a. Sam Harris 2002--looked really uncomfortable. Maybe he was just worried about getting sweat stains on that white suit.

Of course, none of these kids will ever be called upon to sing songs like this again, and any one of them would be able to burp out today's crappy pop music.

So I don't suppose we'll be critiquing West Wing tomorrow morning, huh, Marky?

[markydefad]

Jeffy,

You made me LOL with your crack about Justin & "Godspell"!!!!!

I actually was NOT watching him perform, I just heard him; BUT "Godspell" does seem a perfect match for him. Or possibly "Pippin"?????!!!! (Face it, he's he's got the John Rubinstein/Bozo hairdo--BUT I kinda like it on him. But he's awful cutesey) Lotsa BUTS here, huh????

Hope they do Broadway showtunes NEXT WEEK:
which one will it be? "Day By Day" or "Corner Of The Sky"????!!!!!!!!

_________________
Make My Feet Wanna Dance!

Markydefad

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: markydefad on 2002-08-07 12:30 ]</font>

[markydefad]

Howard Stern had Ryan Starr (the ejected contestant from last week) on his show this morning. She told Howard she is still a virgin and doesn't masturbate (TAKE THAT, Anna Nicole!!!!). Howard also reiterated my opinion that the two tool hosts are the worst thing about the program and that Simon's tough critiques were the only thing that made the contestants bust their chops to IMPROVE each week. He slammed Paula Abdul's nicey-niceness (said all the contestants could sing her off the stage) and said that all Randy Jackson does is repeat the contestant's name "Kelly, Kelly, Kelly" cause he's really only thinking about what he's gonna eat after the taping.... Yes, Howard is CRUEL!!!!!!

Anyway, Howard & Robin tried to get Ryan to speculate on the eventual winner, BUT she wouldn't go there. SO, they finally admitted that, like me, there are TWO chicks vying for the winner's slot---Kelly and Tamyra. BUT, they BOTH said Kelly (the Mare Winningham-lookalike, in other words, not-that-hot looking girl with the GREAT voice) SHOULD WIN, but Tamyra, the Whitney Houston-looking contestant with the excellent voice, WOULD WIN. That does seem likely. However, I wouldn't feel that bad if Tamyra won. Face it, looks do count in terms of stardom.

Ask Phoebe Snow or Joan Armatrading if they would have had more promotion and airplay IF they looked like Diana Ross or Whitney Houston.

Well, we will know who gets the axe tonight between 9:30-10:00PM. Damn this is when I'm watching "Big Brother". I constantly have to flip back and forth. Maybe I'll have to watch one in the bedroom and tape one tonight. Decisions, decisions, decisions!!!!! :lol:

[markydefad]

I just saw Entertainment Weekly's grades for last night's performances (Tues 8/6):

6) Nikki C-
5) R.J. C
4) Christina B+
3) Justin A-
2) Tamyra A
1) Kelly A+

Hmmmm.....why does this seem so familiar????


_________________
Make My Feet Wanna Dance!

Markydefad

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: markydefad on 2002-08-07 17:23 ]</font>

[Outsider]

I've also been watching "American Idol" (not last night, though, I took my fiancee out for her birthday, which was yesterday). Honestly, I don't know or care who will win. As I mentioned in another thread, I knew that it wouldn't be Ryan Starr, who was my fiancee's prediction as the winner.

[markydefad]

As straight-shooter judge SIMON SAYS, "This time America got it WRONG"!!!!!

Around 10 million voted-- and Christina was ousted ( BOTH Entertainment Weekly and I had ranked her #4 of 6 for Tuesday's performance.) Strangely, Christina was mysteriously rushed to the hospital before the show's taping with nervous exhaustion or dehydration or...did somone tip her off that she was outta there? Say it isn't so, American Idol!!! Pretty suspicious, I'd say...but, everyone ACTED like they were surprised. Nikki & R.J. were in the bottom three with Christina (NO SURPISE, there) BUT choices #5 (C) & #6 (C-) were saved and choice #4 (B+) got the hook!!!!

Well, as Simon said in an interview on Fox news after the show, it WASN'T Christina's turn to go--BUT she also WASN'T gonna win--so maybe she was done a favor by America's vote, stresswise, at least.

Any thoughts????

[Jeff H]

Maybe Christina and Tamyra split "the black vote"? And with her not being there, it was almost like everyone was talking about her as if she were dead.

Simon was also right when he told R.J. he was very lucky. Never underestimate the power of the teenybopper/young homosexual vote.

Marky, you compared Kelly to Mare Winningham, but I see Reese Witherspoon....

And this week's TV Guide reports that Ryan says he and Paula Abdul were dating, which Paula jokingly denied. Is Ryan the one you said is gay, Marky? He's certainly the cuter of the two--though they're both annoying.

[markydefad]

Jeffy,

The Reese Witherspoon comparison is apt; I was remembering her face a little differently. Something about that forties hairdo conjured up Mare Winningham in my mind.

Didja notice that even though there were 6 finalists at the time, ONLY 3 made the cover of last week's Entertainment Weekly? Tamyra, Justin & Kelly????? Is this thing rigged or what??? Is it just a lucky coincidence??? I know I'm conspiracy theory crazy!!!!!

Various gossip-meisters (Billy Masters, for one) have been making jokes about Ryan Seacrest (a local DJ on STAR) & MERV GRIFFIN !!!!!, for a long time!!!!! I don't know what it's all about, Jeffy---BUT I feel it's my duty to spread that dirt!!!!! :lol:

[markydefad]

Oh, and one mo thing I forgot:

Last night it hit me that R.J. is a dead ringer for a young.......(drum roll)....





(dare I say it???)



LIBERACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm NOT kidding!!!!!!! :lol:

[sutnop]

what is this show about???

[Outsider]

On 2002-08-09 11:02, sutnop wrote:
what is this show about???

"American Idol" is a competition for singers, and the winner gets a record contract. Think of it as a cross between "Star Search" and "Survivor".

[Blaxman]

Here in Brazil there is this same show called "Fama" (Fame).
It sucks!!! All singer come out singing like Britney Spears!!!! Arghful!!!! :lol:

The show name should be: "Crap Factory"

Peace

[sutnop]

In the country I am currently in
I have been told
there are 3 such shows

Fame Factory
Wannabee
and the biggest Popstars.....

Each has promised that this year
they will unlike previous years

Cocentrate more on the people audiotning with musical talent and brains
(yeah Right)
instead of like last year looks, attidtude and image and ohh yeah dancing skills.....

The thing was that last year after one of the audionts An aquintance of mine snapped up a couple of outcasts from the audtion and started a Female soul group

that has gained much more undergroun acclaim then thier
plastic fabrications.......

[markydefad]

Entertainment Weekly has a little item about "American Idol" this week.

They speculate whether the producerS are playing with the vote tallies in order to create "DRAMA". Case in point, Justin's near last finish the week before last. Now, he did give a lackluster performance (Donny Hathaway's "Someday We'll All Be Free") BUT few would have predicted the cocky alwAys-asking "what do the fans think?" guy to finish that low. Producers swear no manipulations are possible.

BUT--the Christina to the hospital/Christina gets the boot incident has made me a tad suspicious, also.

Lastly, the final show is gonna consist of the two finalists singing two new songs, (currently being penned by the likes of Diane Warren, Desmond Child, and Cathy Dennis) and one cover of their choosing. That's Sept 3. The winner's single will be released Sept. 24. LA Times rock critic, Robert Hilburn says this is all a bunch of hooey--no one can manufacture a star!!! Hmmm, we'll see. Hilburn is Mr. Cool Cutting Edge or else Springsteen Rules--so I don't give a **** what he thinks. He voted Cher's "Believe" as the WORST single of it's year of release. So **** him. :razz:

[DanceMan]

That critic also called Eminem a Star for the New Millenium...so I have to disagree with anything he says.....Both Kelly and Tamyra sing rings around most anyone else on today's Top 40, so more power to those who help shape either one of them in the weeks to come to achieve that goal....hey, everyone deserves their 15 minutes of fame and both of those girls are deserving of that and more!

[markydefad]

Hey Danceman,

Yeah, Hilburn is really hated in LA. Every week, the readers of the LA Times roast him for his most recent diatribe, BUT he still has his job. He loves The Eminemster (BUT lotsa critics DO) and , above all, his Trinity: Dylan, U2, and, especially, BRUCE.

Older and often younger readers feel Hilburn is just trying to maintain his "cutting-edge" credentials by embracing the Gangsta Rappers and the newest Punksters of the moment (The Strokes, White Stripes). I just know if I had to listen to a steady diet of his "picks" I'd be so depressed and bored, I'd gladly listen to most anything on Graham's "Hells Playlist" on non-stop rotation. BUT then, I usually LIKE lots of the stuff on Graham's list. :razz:

[Outsider]

Robert Hilburn thinks that rap is the greatest thing to ever happen in music. But then again, I don't pay attention to him (or any music critic for that matter). Yeah, he can't stand most of my favorites, but it's just an opinion. Well, I do agree with him about that Cher song (I can't stand it either), but that's one of those few times that I do at all. I don't let the critics dictate my taste in music. I do that on my own.

As for the contestants on "American Idol", if that's what it takes for them to get a music career, that's fine with me. Sure, it's better to form a band, play in clubs, pass out flyers for their shows, etc. (you know, the old-fashioned way), but the ultimate goal is to make music, so the only thing that matters is indeed the music. How many times have I made that point? I lost track a long time ago.

[markydefad]

Tonight, on Access Hollywood, I heard that Tamyra Gray has also been hospitalized since Christina went last week. Don't know what really happened. They're hyping the "stress" the kids are under to jack the ratings, I'm sure. Christina was interviewed and said, after seeing a doctor, she was ready to come back for the show taping last Wednesday...BUT the powers that be, said "no".

Create that "Drama", FOX. :roll:

[markydefad]

Well, Gramps laid down to take a little nap before "American Idol" tonight and woke up 17 minutes into the damn show!!!

So, I totally missed Kelly's rendition of Burt Bacharach & Hal David's "Walk On By". I only saw the recap at the end of the show. Damn!!! And, of course, this had to be BURT BACHARACH night with the MAN himself doing rehearsal piano for the contestants. The black chick seen standing next to them was series vocal coach Debra Byrd (a client of our NY office). Byrd has performed in lotsa musicals and many Barry Manilow LP's and concerts.

Anyway, the rest of the kids sang:

R.J.: "Arthur's Theme"
Tamyra: "A House Is Not A Home"
Justin: "The Look Of Love"
Nikki: " Always Something There To Remind Me"

NOT having seen Kelly, I'm not sure how to rank #1 ...BUT

1) & 2)(TIE) Tamyra & Kelly
3) Justin
4) R.J.
5) Nikki

Just the way they were last week except that Christina is gone. BUT, tonight the recently ousted Ryan Starr & Christina were sitting right behind the judges--giving them them the middle finger when the cameras were NOT on them, I'm sure. :razz:

_________________
Make My Feet Wanna Dance!

Markydefad

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: markydefad on 2002-08-14 01:02 ]</font>

[nrgbeat]

I don't think Nikki is that great of a singer and I find her wildchild look (tattoo, Kelly Osborne hair, tongue ring)rather repulsive.

Maybe she can get a career in biker dyke porno films.

[Jeff H]

I was going to post my review last night right after the show, but I didn't want to spoil anything for our West Coast posters. (I'm assuming it's not shown live there, right, Marky?)

I feel they rank in exactly the order they performed last night: Kelly > R.J. > Tamyra > Justin > Nikki.

Kelly really tore into "Walk on By," and R.J. sang with confidence this week. Tamyra was good, but added way too many diva histrionics for my taste (but I'm sure the voters will eat that up). Justin was boooooring, like a third-rate lounge singer. And although I've liked Kelly all along because she wasn't trying to be another Mariah clone, she was really bad last night: singing off-key, lazy performance and unfortunate arrangement. (Dionne Warwick or Naked Eyes? Pick ONE, girl!)

And I loved the fact that these kids had to sing REAL songs, thanks to Burt Bacharach.

Kelly [oops--I meant Nikki; thanks Nrg!] is gone tonight for sure (despite the "awwww" factor of her son's appearance; how desperate-looking was that?!). But she apparently has another job to fall back on: the National Enquirer reports that she used to work as a topless singer in a strip club!

_________________
"...a once in a lifetime feeling that returns every week..."

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Jeff H on 2002-08-14 10:32 ]</font>

[nrgbeat]

Jeff, I think you are getting Kelly and Nikki mixed up.

[DanceMan]

Jeff...I agree with your order, for the most part....I really felt that R.J. had definitely improved over the preceding weeks and he seemed more confident and, for a change, didn't go crazy with his Whitney Houston-ish warblings at the end of each note
....As far as Kelly, she was Superior last week with her "Stuff Like That," (her best performance yet), however, last nite she seemed a bit preoccupied with the audience and her staging - I guess quite natural as the end gets closer. Tamyra still gives me goose bumps, she got better toward the end, but also seemed nervous for the first time, and the judges picked up on that as well, she got a little too "carried away" for a song like "House is Not a Home," but fared OK to stay in the Top 3....Nikki shoulda taken a note out of Ryan Starr's page and opted out of that rock-tinged vocal which she seemed to have ad-libbed. Very ill-prepared, although she has a future in a local strip-punk-dyke band, I agree....Justin was just in it for the dimples and hair, he is getting tired and stale as the competition moves on...nothing at all original about him...I would like to see him get the boot this week, but it probably will go to Nikki as all the judges hated her this time around....Did you see how Ryan totally was in outer space when Kelly was being interviewed, she didn't even applaud...what the hell is she even doing there if she cannot be a good sport?...should be interesting tonight...by the way, what is wrong with Burt? Were his dentures slipping or did he have a recent stroke?