So, a proper amount of time has passed for me to get over the injustice of last week’s vote. Who was with me in being frustrated when Allison absolutely crushed “Cry Baby” after being eliminated? If she had been that fired up on performance night, she probably would not have been sent home.
Quick Result Show Hits:
* Please, no more group songs EVER again.
* Paula, no more performing EVER again (but thank you for extending your lip-synching streak to 21 years).
* No Doubt: love ya, Gwen, but a tour being used TO WRITE a new album? I’m not sure when they actually moved to Bizarro World, but I hope her kids like it there.
With the three remaining contestants, I honestly have no guess on how this could go. I think any of them could win. The format tonight (one song picked by the performer, one song picked by the judges/producers) will be very telling (especially the judges’ pick where they could really set one or two of them up for a finale run). Here is my review and preview of the remaining guys. As you can see, I could not have been wronger about America’s support for these folks two months ago:
Kris Allen (Original Ranking: 10th out of 11) – “My wife thinks he’s cute. I don’t care. I have nothing else to say. He has no chance…”. These were my comments about Kris in my 8th Season Premiere Edition of “RAD on AI”. Wow. What did I miss? Well, a fact I certainly overlooked was that he was (and still is) the most musically talented of this year’s contestants. He plays acoustic guitar, electric guitar, keyboards, and who knows what else. And, he clearly understands music. I know that sounds simple, but it is actually complex. Why do the judges constantly carp that so-n-so “picked the wrong song” for them? Because, it is not easy. Rarely did they say that about Kris (I recall twice: “All You Want to Do Is Dance” and last week’s “Come Together”. However, I still think Kris had very few good options for him last week). Most importantly, Kris understands his limitations and sticks to his strengths: sing soft, look cute. He’s still boring to me, but he picks the right song, sings it well enough to stay in the middle of the pack, and, when he doesn’t, he has the fan base to bail him out. After last week’s disappointing ouster of my favorite and the unfortunate manner in which it went down, I now throw my full support to this underdog. With the female support that it is obvious that he has now, I think he has a little bit of a chance. It is beyond embarrassing to write that after what I wrote on March 13th. I will never ever buy your album, but go Kris!
Danny Gokey (Original Ranking: 7th) – “He’s easy to root for, but there are better, sellable folks here…” (March 13th comment). Never underestimate the power of a tragic backstory. Props to Danny though for milking it minimally and only in indirect ways. (Brief pause for a pet peeve statement: Danny, Dude, you’re 28 and should not be calling yourself “Danny”. C’mon, Ricky (Rick) Schroeder and Danny (Dan) Bonaduche led the way on this one.) And, maybe nice guys don’t finish last. I think Daniel had a fine sense of humor about his awful performance last week. If you saw his face last week after Allison’s farewell video played, you could see genuine remorse about what had transpired. (Then, give up your spot back to her if you want to set things right! Okay, RAD let it go already…). No matter what, you know Daniel is always going to lay it out there on the stage. And, America loves him even when he stinks. All I ask for now is one week where he is not yelling or singing a “remember my wife” ballad. If they set him up with that this week, and he delivers, all (well, most) will be forgiven.
Adam Lambert (Original Ranking: 6th) – “…you either have to love or hate this guy…I’ll just say that he has some characteristics that we will have to see if “Middle America” can deal with in their American Idol…” (March 13th). I’ll easily stand by my first statement. I’m not so sure anymore on the second. Without question, he is the one expected to win now. He is the only one with breakout national press and the judges and producers crave the publicity that his theatrics have brought the show. But, would it be the best of all worlds for the American Idol team if Adam makes the finals, pulls in a great TV rating, and then loses? Then, they would not have to put up with the headache of trying to repackage and market this guy to a wider audience. I frankly think that they have no idea what to do or how to write and produce for him if he wins. We’ll see if the judges’ tones change at all towards him this week or next. It could be fascinating seeing what song they choose for him to sing tonight.
I would love to see your comments about last week’s results and/or any anticipatory preview you might have. See you tomorrow.
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RAD oh RAD, I feel your pain. As I noted (as CSC noted, late) last week, I was finally moved to vote this season but even I couldn't make a difference for Allison.
ReplyDeleteThe only thing I really have to say about last week's results show (because all evidence was to the contrary re: Paula's just being there for the music) was that I never thought that anything could make me long for Alice Cooper's voice until I saw that group song. Stop the madness!
I'm trying to read the tea leaves, which is about like trying to discern a high school student council election voting pattern. Who's more popular? Who will split the vote? No matter what happens I won't be voting because I don't really care.
Let's get this over with and move on to So You Think You Can Dance!
Welcome back, RAD. Just a few quick results observations, especially since I was at the symphony and missed the show...ran through it mostly in fastforward on the DVR.
ReplyDeleteOther than the actual results, I stopped only twice...once to rubberneck at the Paula train wreck, once for Daughtry because he's actually good.
PIC pointed out that there were *NO* close ups during Paula's performance (and you could still tell she was lip synching!). PIC also mentioned that Britney should've been watching, "to see what she's headed toward in about 50 years". I agree with the sentiment, but at Brit's pace, let's say 5 years.
While we're on the topic of female judge's, now we know why Kara was trying (unsuccessfully) for "Gwen hair" last Tuesaday. Too bad Gwen tried unsuccessfully for "Gwen singing" on Wednesday. I generally like original No Doubt, but c'mon...what happened? The flourescent green bra had more vocal range.
Daughtry? I like him, but that song was awful. If that's your first single off the new album, you may want to head back to the studio. And you should *definitely* head back to your razor.
Anyway, TMC's interest in seeing Allison win was well documented. Now that she didn't, I find myself in RAD's boat, rooting for Kris. In fairness, I should call it "PIC's boat", because PIC has been on board with Kris since the Top 12.
Danny bored me again, so I'll bore the rest of YOU again by once again echoing RAD: props for admitting you sucked, Danny. (Adam may owe us a similar apology, but with slightly different punctuation.)
Speaking of Adam, I'm happy to report that I did NOT notice the revealing nature of his pants last week. Now if I could not have to see the rest of him after this week, that would be fantastic.
-TMC
Paula's lip synching was just as dismal as her dancing - it brought me right back to Britney on the VMA's (?) at the height of her downfall. She was so lathargic - shocking really for someone who's never ever taken pain medication and then quit cold turkey. But it's not about Paula, it's about the SINGERS (yes Paula, people can actually sing during a singing competition).
ReplyDeleteSo sad to see Allison go and I really don't care anymore now that she's out of it. I would like to say I would boycott but I'm not going to, they have me hooked.
Kris - I can't jump on board with him as the rest of you had I don't know why but I just don't really care one way or the other. Perhaps I need to watch closer at his ability - i'll make a concerted effort to pay more attention to his talent and to drink less wine this week.
Danny - Still boring, still doing nothing for me, still not feeling the sympathy any longer for the dead wife. I'm evil, I know.
Adam - still don't love him and still won't buy his album, but I do still look forward to see what he will do next (similiar to the haters and fans of Howard Stern back in his WNBC days....whether they liked him or hated him they listened because they wanted to hear what he would come up with next!). I also fear that there are several closed minded people out there who are against his alleged lifestyle and have such a hatred that's it's frightening to think about. I say alleged not toward his homosexuality but toward the tawdryness of it.
At least I still have the Real Housewives of NY reunion and the premier of the Real Housewives of NJ to look forward to tonight.
Sorry RAD but I think I am totally not with you on most of your comments of this week!
ReplyDeleteAlison deserved to go, sorry but she did. If you're critiquing Danny for being boring, Alison would have to be his parallel. Come on, sure the girl can hit some notes and has some soul, but she has the same rasp to her voice in every song – nothing changes.… Sure she’s talented for a 17 year old… but she’s still 17. She can’t sing CRY BABY with the desperation in her heart for loving and ripping your heart out for a man -- if she’s just 3-4 years post getting her period! I liked her, don’t get me wrong. But don’t sing Janis for me unless you’re gonna have the depth of her songs… And don’t make a talented 17 year old the winning IDOL.
Oh horrific Paula. Please, just go into seclusion or something. Hopefully they won’t create a dance show for her to host… THANK YOU LORRI – WHEN DOES SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE START?!?!?!??
No Doubt was a great band…. WAS…. Gwen was never a good singer. She just gave good show. They need a new singer… perhaps a CURLY one!!!! And whatever with that tank and green bra- I thought the woman designed clothes?!?!?!?!? lmao
Kris Allen: totally agreed on him showing the most diversity in his talent… he’s really really … he’s got a great fan base…and that’s what’s keeping him in the game. I’m very curious to see what he gets dealt this week.
I personally think it would be boring to see anything other than an Adam/Danny finale. But it would definitely be drama to see Danny get booted this week….
Danny Gokey: People will feel the most empathy for Danny, not only because of his back story, but because the way the guy delivers a song. It’s not just all bells and whistles and a huge showy note at the end (eh em Adam)… you can feel that he intensely feels what he’s singing. I can’t say that about Kris or Adam honestly. I think Adam rocks out and feels the talent that is undeniably coming through him, but I don’t feel like he lives the lyrics the way Danny does. Now Danny just doesn’t have the obvious cuteness of Kris… or the crazzzzzyyyyyy vocals of Adam, and it puts him in this weird middle place, that I’m not sure how he’ll get out of it… that ending scream last week sure didn’t help.
Side note - personally I think when Ricky Schroeder started calling himself Rick, it was silly. Ricky will always be Ricky. They didn’t call Ricky Ricardo by Rick – did they? Lol
Adam Lambert: We all know, even if he doesn’t win, he won. I feel like I’ve won him now that he’s sharing his clear and undeniable gift with us…. It’s all good. When he’s not hitting those mind boggling notes, he’s got an amazing soulful voice…. I actually do know more conservative people that truly LOVE him and it definitely surprised me… they can’t deny his talent, and I don’t think America will either… besides, I think we’re giving middle America too much attention when it comes to Adam and the vote. What are the 4 biggest states … California, Texas, New York, Florida…? I’m sure that Adam will get their vote, if Florida doesn’t screw it up for him like they did for……. Oops.
So You Think You Can Dance is slated to return Wednesday, June 3, 2009.....just a few weeks away kids.
ReplyDeleteCSC won't be watching tonight - going out for a nice steak dinner in NYC and will be sitting on the always dismal NJ Transit train during prime AI time.
ReplyDeleteHopefully the husband will dvr it for me, but since he is spending the evening at the dentist and then with my parents (LOL!) he will probably ignore my request out of spite (and I can't blame him!).
My problem with Adam is that most people on this blog (and elsewhere) who support him do so because they "want to see what he does next"...not because they like the *music* that much. (Curly QT is clearly the exception to that genralization, and more power to her. If you're voting for his music, not his spectacle, go for it. Well, really, go for it regardless...who needs my permission?? But I digress...)
ReplyDeleteBut if the majority is voting for him just to see what's next, is he all that different than Sanjaya or Norman the headband dude? Doesn't that kind of suck for a Kris or Danny who's being true to their (somewhat boring) self?
If this was "Broadway Idol", they could've closed the competition weeks ago. But it's not, and the endless parade of Broadway-ready characters is tiresome. Even every time they show a shot from around the Idol house or some publicity gig, Adam's demeanor seems acted and calculated there, too. It's a reality show, and Adam is anything but real. I'm not nearly as good of an actor, so I'm not able to pretend to be interested.
-TMC
that's it, ladies and gentlemen, i'm declaring a winner. TMC wins this year's "Blogmerican Idol" competition with that last post. Game over.
ReplyDeletePS i really liked Norman Gentle...i would have been ENTHRALLED to see what he would do next.
Well, i know i'm supposed to wait for RAD to comment on last nights show but I can't.
ReplyDeleteFirst off, I agree with Lorrie, TMC has won. I wanted to ignore you but just can't....it's extremely frustrating. You have some valid points. And as much as you get under my skin, I know I know you and love you when you don't hide behind the blog.
Last nights show, through the clarity of the wine i saw each performer in a brand new light and can't comprehend what i have missed all season long - perhaps I need to drink more wine? Anyway, I digress....onto the show
Gokey - STOP Screaming. don't know if i focused on it more or if I just finally noticed it but HOLY COW - I didn't love the song or the screaming. I certainly don't remember Terrence Trent D'arby like that at all. I know it's his own spin and all but ow, my ears.
Kris - not going to lie, i was PISSED, no, not pissed, I was Fcking Bitter when all the Allison fans gave their votes to him. After the performance he gave on the piano, I am a changed woman and almost feel compelled to vote for him - not sure that i will but I see the reasoning behind it that everyone else was talking about. He is proving the theory that those who fly under the radar survive a long time, or even better, they win.
Did anyone else notice Paula's make up stain on Simon's right boob? He must own 40 white T's he couldn't change?
My DVR wigged out on me last night so I actually missed Adam's return home and the beginning of One. Breaking into teh middle I understand the pensity for his note that he hits/screams and why people don't love it. From the beginning I said I don't love him and I don't think he'll convert me to a fan the way David Cook did. I thne continued to gush, but from a distance. I keep that distance and I think it will be a fight with him and Gokey (whom I can no longer call Danny because I agree with RAD) for the 2nd contestant spot. These feelings totally perplex me - thank GOD I have my wine.
Gokey - 2nd song, the ballad we expected. So far, so good, no screaming. Eh, I'm indifferent.
Kris - Heartless by Kanye???? "Bold Move" is what Mr. Bitter expressed. Excited to see what he does. OH SNAP!!! Banging it out as if it was his own song. NEVER expected this from him - I am actually moved to send a Text Vote in for him. White boy busted out Kanye like it was his job. I don't agree with Randy at all and am excited to hear what everyone else says. Damn DVR - cut off again. I'll presume he received good remarks.
Adam - Aerosmith, obvious choice. Interesting but suddenly I'm seeing a similiar performance to the one from earlier. He really should be playing Pontious Pilot in a revival of Jesus Christ Superstar. I fear for his safety even with Simon's plea for people to vote. I still don't see/hear the Cher thing perhaps next week if he makes it through tonight.
for the record, I never voted, but I did enjoy more wine and the Real Housewives of New Jersey....who's starting the blog on that show?????
TMC sits on 13/70.
ReplyDelete