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Showing posts with label American Idol. Show all posts

American Idol: Personality Counts!

I was a little surprised with all the outrage last week when singer Pia Toscano got the boot on American Idol. Pia was a great singer but great singers get the boot early every year. In fact great singers also rarely win American Idol. The winners usually have great vocal talent for sure, but with the exception of first year winner Kelly Clarkson, most winners could arguably be seen as great performers who sing rather than great singers who perform. Pia was not the greatest performer. Like past early evictee Jennifer Hudson, her personality did not exactly leap out of the tv screen and give you a big hug. The best example of this was season one's Tamyra Gray. Tamyra is one of the shows best singers but she came off arrogant and distant. Her inability to connect with an audience has still prevented her from getting her career off the ground. Idol tried it's best to help her for years, dragging her back to sing but although her brilliant vocals remained, so did her coldness. I am by no means saying Pia was cold, but pure talent has never been the main reason for an Idol win.

I guess I was surprised because Idol, although still a show I watch and enjoy has sort of become a background show in my life. I watch, or DVR, but don't really invest in it any more. I think it was years of disappointment and frustration. I remember season 2 in particular rooting for a Kimberly or Clay win (I liked Rueben but never saw him as able to really pull off stardom). Jennifer Hudson, and maybe for me even more Latoya London's departures in season 3 were disappointments. Add to that Scott Savol and Sanjaya's ability to last longer than far more talented singers taught me American Idol was a show to enjoy, not to invest or waste any emotion in.

Despite all the outrage, Idol usually ends up picking up a decent winner. Except for Season 5 when Chris Daughtry, or to me Elliott Yamin, should have taken the crown I have been ok with most winners. I know many believe Adam Lambert should have won his year but I liked both he and Kris Allen so it was a toss up. Even though this year, like every year critics claim the teenage girls are pushing the vote, those girls have rarely actually produced a winner.

Like each of the past 9 seasons or so the show pushes this group as The Best Group Ever!!! It of course is not true. If there were a group who should have that title I would give it to Season 2 or Season 5. I never really enjoyed Rod Stewart wannabe Paul who left last night, and I don't get the fuss over Casey. Scotty McCreery made me smile for about one week and now bores me to tears and Jacob's over emoting is cringe worthy. Jiimmy Lovine might be a talented producer but is creepy and only brings down the show. My main smiles each week come from watching Stefano Langone. Yeah Yeah he is cute but I also love his voice (when singing more than speaking...) He was really great this week and although will not make it to the end, is the only consistent part of my DVR recording that does not get the ole FF.

Stefano Langone : 'I Need You Now!'

I was disappointed last night that Robbie Rosen (because he was cute) and Lauren Turner (because she was my favorite of the girls) did not make it through. But... was thrilled favorite Stefano Langone was put through in the wild card round. Not only is he hot, I LOVE LOVE LOVE Smokie Norful and his song 'I Need You Now'. Stefano nailed it Quite shocked he did not make through with votes.

Below, Stefano working out with Jovany Barreto (who sadly did not make it through).

Photo Sources:

The Top 24 Are Picked

American Idol unveiled its top 24 this week. Overall the guys seem far more interesting than the girls this year. My only disagreement would have been with not choosing Colton Dixon. Yes, Colton is cute and Brett Loewenstern is an interesting singer, but Colton Dixon
was a far superior performer to me.

Above: Jacee Badaeux, Brett Loewenstern, and Colton Dixon

Damn You American Idol!

Damn you American Idol!
I loved you for many years but a not long ago we both realized we must part. For the last 3 to 4 seasons we have seen less and less of one another. I often stood you up on Tuesday night...yet...you kept coming back. While working on a presentation for work tomorrow I turned you on. You did something different to yourself, the old, tired weary you I had grown bored of was fresh, new and lured me back in. I found myself interested and actually getting teary eyed over the way you manipulate the edits of your back stories.

I am not sure if my re infatuation will last, it might just be a one time fling with my ex. Once the show gets running, I am not sure I can remain faithful but for now, you have peeked my interest. Only time will tell.

Some highlights:
Robbie Rosen

Tiffany Rios

Travis Orlando

American Idol

New Judges: Fail!
I still miss Paula!

Just Because: American Idol

AI is almost over for the season, and what a yawn fest of a season it has been. I think it is the energy. There is some talent, but they are all about as boring as reading assembly instructions for an Ikea bookshelf. I am hoping for a Lee win, only because I have not enjoying having Crystal shoved down our throats all season. She is good, but she is not great and in any other year she would have gotten the boot weeks ago. Casey should have left before big Mike. Casey has really been less than average the past couple of weeks.

Speaking of AI, I was doing a search of FH and came across these pics of 2008 contestant Luke Menard. I am sure others have noticed it before me, but if Glee is looking to cast a younger brother for Matthew Morrison, Luke is your man!

Although he is one of the most successful guys to come out of AI's auditions, Alan Ritchson's success has come as an actor and model, not as a singer. But...I did enjoy Billboards list of the top 24 money makers who have come off of Idol. There were a few surprises (like the fact Ruben Studdard made the list...) but most are fairly predictable. Interesting read though. Check it out HERE:

Jumping The Gay Shark

I have been writing, like many on how this season of American Idol is not holding my attention. The reasons are many;

-Paula is Gone
-Randy is like a broken record, nothing new to say
-Simon is bored and makes no attempt to hide it
-Bringing Kara on was a huge mistake. Her first goal is obvious...make Kara famous.
-Ellen's huge talent does not transition well to Idol.
-The singers this year, with a couple of exceptions really do suck. The exceptions may have talent but not one can muster much excitement from anyone.
-The show has done NOTHING to bring anything new to the show except bring in new judges. Same old songs, same old mentors, same old theme weeks. Same group numbers that make everyone cringe.
-The show is now 9 years old.

I think the show actually jumped the shark at two moments last year. The first jump was when it was announced that Kara was joining the show. There was no real reason to mess up the judging panel. The show was still at the top of the ratings and attempts at 4 judges (with guests) in the past ended in failure. It is obvious now that all the 'All About Eve' type rumor were indeed true. The only reason to bring on another judge, a female at that was to push Paula out the door. I don't think anyone knew how drastically this would change the feel of the show. I certainly did not.

The second jump was a little less obvious and one the show could not have predicted. That jump occurred when Glee hit the air. Idol showed that there is an audience for variety, not the variety from the Donny & Marie and Sonny & Cher days, but a variety show for the present. Music, jokes and a hint of drama. Idol ran this wave for 9 years but then this little new show, on Fox no less began. It has music, laughs and a hint of drama. People found another way to hear bad covers of old songs each week. Unlike Idol however, Glee embraced the hokey, musical, karaoke aspect to covering old and new music in a way Idol almost seemed embarrassed about. Idol shoved corny down our throats each week, yet nailed singers to a cross when they were corny. The presented week after week retooled crap yet at the same time claimed they were looking for originality. The hypocrisy was becoming clearer to audiences each week.

Last night I turned on the tv around 10 pm only to discover I had not even remembered Idol was doing 'Idol Gives Back'. In any year in the past 9 this would have bothered me. Last night I did not care. The first 'Idol Gives Back' was an emotional filled 2 hours that had me donating money. The only thing I wondered last night was why The Black Eyed Peas feel the need to accept every invitation they get. They really need to be more selective. I read this morning Tim went home. I will miss him. He was a cutie and when I watched my DVR of the show he always brought a smile to my face. But unlike past years (like the Clay/Reuben year) I was not invested in any of them.

The Only show with music I wanted to watch this week was Glee and Idol ruined that by going over it's time limit and cutting off my recording. Thankfully I have heard Fox is repeating it tomorrow.

Idol has jumped the shark, and, given I believe Glee is part of the reason, it is the gay shark. With Idol running from everything gay, corny and Broadway the past 9 years... I find this both ironic and appropriate.

Pic Series Of The Day: A Day out With Kris Allen

Thanks to Just Jared we get to spend some time with last seasons Idol winner Kris Allen at the Atlantis Resort & Casino in the Bahamas.

American Idol Update:

Ok, there really is little need to post on Idol today except as an excuse to post this new pic of Tim Urban. I am still not enjoying this season so I did my usual DVR of the show and watched it in about 12 minutes at around midnight. Skipped all the judges comments, the commercials and most of Ryan's filler. The performances were ok (and given I am objectifying Urban, I will say he was my favorite of the night...truly, and this time for his song). I am over Crystal who is good, but really is only seen as 'great' because those around her are so bad. Put her on almost any previous season and she would be long gone. I like big Mike but I think the judges might regret that save... Adam Lambert was actually a very effective mentor and I think more ex idols should return for this task.

Seriously American Idol Seriously????

Really American Idol. How bad do you want things to get. Randy is pretty much useless, Ellen is a bit of a disappointment, Simon is leaving and Kara is turning crazier than even Paula (but not in Paula's fun way). Add to that a group of singers this year, although talented, that has failed to spark the excitement of the viewers.

And if my respect for the show could not get any lower, you have Miley Cyrus as a mentor. Really, of all the stupid moves, this is the dumbest. Yeah I know she has a fan base. Yeah I know she has a movie to promote (Fox related maybe...). but a mentor. Crystal Bowersox must have let out a big groan. (I could not bare to have searched or posted Miley pics on the blog, so you will have to suffer through a couple of Tim Urban.)

I know I am not alone in this, and the wonderful Annie Barrett from Entertainment Weekly summoned up what I am sure most of us are thinking.

'During a routine scrape, American Idol producers found Miley Cyrus at the bottom of a barrel next to some Hannah Montana doll hair and decided to make her a guest mentor on tomorrow night’s show. Cyrus will bestow unto the Top 11 contestants bits of wisdom such as “Wear boots” and “Sound like a chain smoker,” and then she’ll perform her hit “When I Look At You” on Wednesday’s results show, according to a press release from Fox.'

I thank God again for the invention of the DVR. This two hour extravaganza should take me about 11 minutes to watch.

More of Ace Young in Hair

Thanks to The New York post we get to see 'a little more' of Ace Young's performance in Hair.

Ace Young in 'Hair'

I loved me some Will Swenson, but Ace Young is looking mighty fine as well in the role of Berger in Broadways 'Hair'. Another former AI contestant Diana DeGarmo joins Ace in the production.

Alex Lambert: We Hardly Knew Ya!

Above: Alex Lambert, Lilly Scott, Todrick Hall and Katelyn Epperly

So I finally started getting into American Idol this week only to see four people (well 3 at least) who were voted before their time last night. I cannot believe Paige Miles who utterly crucified one of my favorite songs 'Smile' on Tuesday made the cut.

The most disappointing was 19 year old Texan Alex Lambert. Initially I thought he was getting by on his cuteness (and really, anyone who can pull off a mullet deserves some kudos). Over the last week or two he really was growing on me. Ellen continued to talk about his ripening, but his voice, though shaky showed a purity much needed on that overly showy, edited and overdone stage. Sorry to see you go Alex!

Just Because: American Idol

I am giving it a couple more weeks, but in the grand tradition of Fonzie on water skis, American Idol has jumped the shark. Even with some eye candy last weeks top 24shows were pretty bad with no one really standing out. There were a few ok performances but overall quite boring. Thank goodness for DVR where I can watch 12 bland performances dragged out over 2 hours on Fox in about 12 minutes.

Some like to say (Fox PR) that it is like this every year at this time, but that is bullshit. In years gone by Rueben Studdard, Clay Aiken, Carrie Underwood, Chris Daughtry, Fantasia, Jennifer Hudson and many others were making waves in the early elimination rounds.

Paula is also truly missed. Kara is becoming increasingly annoying, Randy increasingly redundant and Simon's upcoming departure also makes his presence bittersweet. Ellen started off strong, but during the last two live shows looked like a rabbit in a trap. I am sure Ellen will get her groove, but with Randy and Kara the only two left to back her up, her groove is not going to be enough. We shall see...

Below: Casey James

Below: Tim Urban

Just Because: Anthony Fedorov in Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

It was last year when Anthony Fedorov, one of my favorite past contestants on American Idol toured the country as Joseph in Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat'. Although Anthony and cast were not overly praised for their acting, most reviews for the show did agree it was a standout visually and vocally. Anthony never got the credit he deserved for his strong vocal abilities during his season. Carrie Underwood and Bo Bice garnered most of the attention while Anthony and the equally talented Vonzell Solomon were left behind. Although Carrie has certainly turned into a superstar, during that Idol season I much preferred the performance of Anthony (Climb Every Mountain aside) and Vonzell.