167 replies to this topic

[Jason Bortz]

I watched the 'trials' in Greensboro last night. Partially in response to the outcry that Callow is homophobic and the attention from GLAAD.

He still remains one of the best on-the-fly retortmeisters I've ever seen. I laughed incessantly.

"Just what American Idol needs--Sylvester Stallone's younger sister."

[run]

Apparently this group http://www.naafa.org/ is complaining about American Idol too.

Who is next?

[Greg P]

The son of one of our long-time church members appeared on the Vegas audition show last week. My wife and I were watching and recognized the kid immediately. We were horrified. He was one of the evenings most delusional and embarassing auditions.(Simon and Co. had a blast goofing on him and egging him on)The most frightening thing is, his proud dad has been going around the church for the last few days with a DVD of the clip, forcing people to watch it and commenting about how his son is really an "unrecognized musical genius", etc...

Like father, like son!

[SZPT]

The son of one of our long-time church members appeared on the Vegas audition show last week. My wife and I were watching and recognized the kid immediately. We were horrified. He was one of the evenings most delusional and embarassing auditions.(Simon and Co. had a blast goofing on him and egging him on)The most frightening thing is, his proud dad has been going around the church for the last few days with a DVD of the clip, forcing people to watch it and commenting about how his son is really an "unrecognized musical genius", etc...

Like father, like son!

If you can say... which one was he?

[Greg P]

Ha! I was afraid someone was gonna ask. He was one character who unfortunately gave his full name on the show--David Manz*k... He was the catatonic dude with the baseball cap singing the Back Street Boys song. His proud dad has been dropping by the church office this week with DVD AND VHS in hand, ready to show anyone who'll give him the time. My wife, who runs our churches preschool, caught up with him today. What is most concerning is that dad thinks his son gave an impressive performance. Love is tone-deaf, I suppose.

[Robinflamingo]

I'm new here. But I will admit to watching AI. (Admit to it...heck, I post about it in my Xanga, and last year I was one of the hosts of the Spoiler Thread on the official AI boards...) This year, though, I'm really put off by the audition process, probably because I have read too much about it. It is designed to humiliate the pastor's kids out there...and it's mean-spirited.

Once we get past the audition shows, and start on Hollywood, I always feel better. In the next week or so, I'll even begin identifying favorites. Then, it becomes a show I can get behind. Then, Simon doesn't seem as cruel, because the playing ground is more even, and we are looking at talented kids to find an Idol.

But yeah. I watch it. I admit it.

[Diane]

OK, I'll admit that I still watch it, too. And once again, Birmingham is representing (for now, at least). But will the silver-haired Taylor Hicks make it into the finals?

[Christian]

Taylor's cool.

We're lovin' this show again. I mean, really -- how many programs incite you to scream at the TV, not because the programs suck, but because the people on the screen simply need to be told, in no uncertain terms, that they're untalented, or insufferable? I realize they can't hear me, but maybe if I screamed just a little bit louder...

Best line from last night, and one of the all-time greatest quotes from American Idol:

"My spirit ... has been broken."

("Then GET OFF THE STAGE!" Hamaker shouts.)

[Michael Todd]

Pick Pickler... I love that girl.

[Diane]

But will the silver-haired Taylor Hicks make it into the finals?

YES!

One of my friends saw Taylor Hicks perform at her church here last year, and she said he and his band were really great. He was certainly rocking that harmonica last night. I wonder how many people thought that was cool and how many people were bugged by it...?

Edited by Diane, 16 February 2006 - 09:52 AM.

[Michael Todd]

I thought Mandisa's comments were sincere. It appears to me that Simon's comments hurt her feelings, and she was consoled by friends, perhaps her Pastor, and the Holy Spirit toward that response. I'm glad she said it.

[Christian]

What about that weird "I forgive you because Jesus died for me" bit? Trite? Sincere? Its effect was interesting, with Simon saying he felt about 1mm tall...

I went to a movie last night missed the show, but my wife said this comment made her cry.

We've turned into a household of crybabies.

[Clint M]

I found a NPR website that had 3 songs off Taylor's album. I'm debating on ordering it.

I'd hope he wins, but that's a bit too generous, I think.

[Greg P]

Pick Pickler... I love that girl.

Oh yes. She is my favorite on many, many levels.

I went to a movie last night missed the show, but my wife said this comment made her cry.

I didn't tear up at that, but I certainly got a lump in my throat when the real geeky kid came out of the elevator to tell his mom and dad he was going to Hollywood.

[Robinflamingo]

We could save a lot of time, say that Kellie and Ace are going to the finals, and just move on...

Edited by Robinflamingo, 17 February 2006 - 07:08 AM.

[Clint M]

I thought Mandisa's comments were sincere. It appears to me that Simon's comments hurt her feelings, and she was consoled by friends, perhaps her Pastor, and the Holy Spirit toward that response. I'm glad she said it.

BP News has a good article on her. According to it, she "...is a regular worship leader at Beth Moore’s Living Proof Live conferences."

[Robinflamingo]

Idol Chatter - The Girls
This is a very important week, as it will bring us finally into the Top Twelve. Two more girls will go, and two more boys this week...and as in other years, it's very unpredictable.

Here, then, is my one liner wrap up:

Paris - She'll stay because of her personality. Judges didn't love her, but people do. She was good. Not great this week, but fun.
Lisa - She looked really pretty, hair straightened - in fact, she looked and sounded older than a teen tonight, which will work in her favor. She'll stay, but I'm still not a fan.
Melissa - I like her more each week. Simon thought she shouted her way thru Heart, I just thought she sang it 70's. But I'm old...
Kinnik - She was out of tune. She'll go this week, I predict.
Katharine - Oh, good...the Kissy Face Kutie Pie Katharine was back! I missed her last week! She sounded just a little anemic on my favorite Aretha song, but the X factor was back.
Ayla - Not a great singer's song tonight, but she did very well with it. She also made Ryan look 5 foot nuthin', since she wore HEELS. HUGE heels. Hehehehe.
Mandisa - First of all, she dressed well tonight. Secondly, she sang "I'm every woman", and thirdly, she is now solidly my favorite. She ROCKS.
Kellie - Putting a flame graphic on the screen doesn't make someone exciting. I was again not impressed.

So, to summarize: GREAT - Mandisa, Katharine. GOOD - Paris, Lisa, Melissa, Ayla. GONE - Kinnik, Kellie (If I had my way. It'll probably be Kinnik and Melissa...but....)

Edited by Robinflamingo, 08 March 2006 - 04:38 AM.

[Christian]

[So, to summarize: GREAT - Mandisa, Katharine. GOOD - Paris, Lisa, Melissa, Ayla. GONE - Kinnik, Kellie (If I had my way. It'll probably be Kinnik and Melissa...but....)

Kellie’s not going anywhere this week, but I’m with you on her limited appeal. I can’t believe the judges neglected to offer even the slightest critique of her strained performance. Aww, shucks: She’s just so darn cute.

Three weeks ago I was convinced Paris and Lisa would be among the final four. I also thought it was the girls’ competition to lose. Now I’m not so sure.

My favorite is Mandisa as well. She’s the only woman who can really turn it on and belt out a number when it needs to be belted. GREAT choice of song last night, too. I love it that a “big” woman can get up there in front of millions of people and sing “I’m Every Woman,” and completely sell it. Who cares if Simon thinks she’s too big to be the idol? She’d get my vote in a heartbeat. (BTW, why was it OK for Ruben Studdard to be gigantic, but not Mandisa?)

I’d liked Kinnik the first two weeks and was happy she wasn’t eliminated, but last night she was terrible. Witty comment, though, about being “sharp” only in how she dresses, if audiences give her another week.

I thought Melissa did pretty well last night. I’m a big fan of Simon Cowell, but isn’t it a little presumptuous, not even halfway through the performances, to pronounce that two people will be receiving their plane tickets home?

[Diane]

Simon said it best when he described Mandisa's performance as being on an entirely different level. No one else even came close to her last night.

[Robinflamingo]

Idol Chatter - The Boys
It's getting to be time to choose your overall favorite...tonight the Final Twelve are chosen, and the boys and girls begin to go Head to Head. Here are my final comments on the Boys:

Gedeon - a rough, pitchy start this week, being first, but our "Old Soul" of Motown Soul righted himself and did "aight", dog.
Chris - Wow...he was hunky with hair...but he's hot without it!! He rocked...as usual.
Kevin - Chicken Little references were 100% absent last night, and Little Kevin sang "Vincent" - ballads suit him, but his weaknesses are starting to show.
Bucky - Unremarkable country performance. He has a twin. Even two of them made me yawn.
Will - Sounded like the winner at a karaoke performance last night, but geez, he's so darned CUTE.
Taylor - This man is pulling himself out into a singular position as memorable, playing to his Michael McDonald strengths. I loved him.
Elliot - We learn HIS sob story - he's 90% deaf in one ear (and yet has better intonation than half the contestants!) He's terrific - beautiful voice.
Ace - He left his beanie on tonight, and channeled Michael Jackson's falsetto. I now think more of his technical abilities than I did before, which I think was the point.

SO...here's the Three G Scale:

GREAT - Taylor, Elliot, Ace, Chris. GOOD - Gedeon, Kevin. GONE - Bucky and Will. Again, I will temper this with the possibility that it will be Bucky and Kevin - they are nearly interchangeable at this point.