American Idol is Back!

Ben Elder · Post by **Ben Elder** » 8 May 2008 12:40 am

From where I park at work, I could throw (well, I could when I was about 17) a ball and hit the studio where they tape "American Idol" (ditto "Dancing With the Stars," even though they both air on networks neither of which is my actual employer). And although I am here at the veritable vortex of pop-culture mania (not to mention that I handle the master and air tapes of whatever sitcom Britney Spears guest-stars on),

I...

just...

could not...

care...

less.

Proximity is wasted on the wrong people, huh? (My American Idol is a colleague, who, being stymied from getting in to work by an aircraft carrier-sized limo blocking the whole bloody parking lot, gave Simon Cowell and his driver a very animated finger.)

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 8 May 2008 2:12 am

Theresa Galbraith wrote:Jason was the weakest link last night. I was trying to figure out who Jason reminded me of, Marley that's it...pack your bags.

David A. was the best!

Reminds you of Bob Marley? That's an insult to the memory of Bob Marley.

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 8 May 2008 5:28 am

Whatever Mark!

IMO

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 8 May 2008 7:21 am

If you're talking about the dreadlocks Theresa, o.k., he's another white kid with dreadlocks that likes Reggae music. Of course it's your opinion - we are all writing opinions.

If you're talking musically - Jason couldn't carry Bob Marley's gig bag. "I Shot The Sheriff" I think is a particularly tough song to pull off - and I have never cared all that much for Eric Clapton's version - and I'm talking Clapton, of whom I am a long-time fan.

The kid massacred the song.

Glenn Suchan · Post by **Glenn Suchan** » 8 May 2008 9:42 am

I, too, believe Jason was foolish for attempting to perform "I Shot The Sheriff". To a certain degree, so was Eric Clapton. In both cases, not because of the quality of performance, but because of the subject matter and the ability of these two (Clapton and Castro) to deliver a performance which "feels" message of the subject. The subject being a statement against the oppression of a societal group (Ethiopian Rastafarians).

When Clapton recorded "I Shot The Sheriff" reggae music was a popular "new" trend in Europe and the US. I believe the attraction was because of the unique "flavor" of the reggae rhythm and not the political message that accompanied the song. And I believe this is the case with Jason. He's attracted to the music and the fashion of the Rastafarian movement and doesn't know anything about the "message". Because of that, his performance was shallow and difficult to watch. Jason would have been better off to perform one of Marley's non-political songs like "Punky Reggae Party" or "Easy Skanking".

BTW: A lot of what Bob Marley brought to the musical forefront , was preceded by the music of artists like Desmond Decker and the Aces, The Mighty Sparrow, Lord Kitchner, and most certainly, Jimmy Cliff. Especially the last two with respect to his (Marley's) arrangement of the music and subject matter.

Early on, I predicted Jason would go far in the competition, but not for his talent. I think the voters got it absolutely correct. Only two more weeks....

Keep on pickin'!
Glenn

Kent Thompson · Post by **Kent Thompson** » 9 May 2008 11:19 am

I think American Idol should do a whole season dedicated to Traditional Country Music.

Glenn Suchan · Post by **Glenn Suchan** » 9 May 2008 12:03 pm

Good idea, Kent, but I don't think it would ever happen for the following reasons:

1. They probably couldn't get enough of their preferred audience to watch the show.

2. They probably couldn't get enough participants in the 16 to 29 year age range to provide the necessary audition "fodder" they always have.

3. Simon would probably commit hara-kiri on live TV, since he seems to hate anything remotely related to country music except for pop versions which might afford cross-over appeal.

Even the Nashville version of "Idol" (I've made a point to forget the name of that show) probably wouldn't touch a traditional country music competition, sadly enough, either.

Keep on pickin'!
Glenn

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 10 May 2008 6:53 am

New problem cropping up for David A., might be stage father from Hell ....
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080510/ap_ ... fFCXcDW7oF

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 14 May 2008 4:25 am

Well.....it's either David Cook or Syesha to go tonight!
I've been voting for David A.
What do you guys think?

Bill Terry · Post by **Bill Terry** » 14 May 2008 9:56 am

What do you guys think?

Syesha's dresses are getting shorter every week.

Donna Dodd · Post by **Donna Dodd** » 14 May 2008 7:53 pm

I think . . . hummmm . . . . Syesha's dresses ARE getting shorter every week.

Probably a good thing she won't be back next week.She really does have a terrific figure, though. On some girls, I would find it offensive - but she has a lot of class.

I was impressed with David Cook doing THE FIRST TIME EVER I SAW YOUR FACE. I cried along with his mother. Don't you know these families are so proud!!

I'm for David A.!!!!

Karen Lee Steenwijk · Post by **Karen Lee Steenwijk** » 15 May 2008 9:34 am

Well it has come down to the last two! My guess is that the next "American Idol" will be "David A". I also think that "Syesha" will make it no matter if she was cut or not.If we look at some of the singers that have made it in this business that have one name like "Cher" "Dolly","Mariah","Fantasia" a lot of times that happens.I think that "Syesha" will make it also.
I am looking forward to next season and all the great talent.
God bless these kids in all they do!
I wish them all well!
Karen

Earnest Bovine · Post by **Earnest Bovine** » 15 May 2008 11:13 am

Paula was a real letdown this week. I understood everything she said.

Donna Dodd · Post by **Donna Dodd** » 15 May 2008 12:59 pm

You're so right!!! The judges weren't nearly as entertaining this week!!!!

Mike Winter · Post by **Mike Winter** » 15 May 2008 4:30 pm

So now it's down to Daddy's puppet versus Mr. "I'm Trying So Hard To Be Cool."

The season's over as far as I'm concerned. The ratings have been down, and I honestly didn't see the high caliber of Idol this year that has been mentioned over and over in the press. I'm out...my wife Cindy will still be in. I'll be downstairs playing, and will pop up for some more whiskey and an update...

Donna Dodd · Post by **Donna Dodd** » 15 May 2008 6:05 pm

Well Mike, just go ahead and take your marbles out of the circle, then! I thought you were one of us.

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 16 May 2008 8:15 am

Donna,
I thought Mike was one of us too! Oh well.....
We gotta keep voting!
Of course, you know who I'm voting for.

Glenn Suchan · Post by **Glenn Suchan** » 16 May 2008 10:07 am

Just a thought...

What if no one called in to vote, next week? Would they extend the contest by one more day, or week? Would they flip a coin? Would they stage an arm wrestling contest between the David's?

I bet Nigel and the rest of the "bean counters" at Fox would be scrambling for an answer to all the commercial sponsors. Could be hilarious!

Oh, alright. I'll keep my comments to myself. $:\$

Keep on pickin'!
Glenn

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 16 May 2008 10:34 am

Funny Glen,
I love those What If?'s

Mike Winter · Post by **Mike Winter** » 16 May 2008 9:10 pm

Donna and Theresa -- I'm just calling it like I see it...my opinion...I'm with you on most things.

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 18 May 2008 8:24 pm

I have seen NONE of this until two nights ago.
So I never commented it was just incomprehensible.
Then they ran a marathon on Star TV,
and so I saw 3 shows in a row.

The Beatles are great and
The Beatles are VERY dangerous territory...

Jason's Lenard Cohen song was brilliant,
but he fell completely the next time out.

Same for David A. Phil Collins to Stevie Wonder.. YIKES.

The Philipino girl sang lovely on a terribly pedestrian
version of a good song, but a wrong song.
Just generic pap.

Brooke was brilliant and understated both times.
Love is a Battle Field was amazing.
I have been listening to Pat Benatar's blues album lately
and had forgot how strong she was then and her songs.
If you like Room Full Of Blues big band blues
get Pat's True Love album.

Back to Brooke
Let it be was beautifully delivered, simple and stately.

Syesha will be signed by one of the BIGGEST
multimedia conglomerates on earth no questions.
MCA, Sony etc. Done deal.

She is a triple threat. Model / cover-girl gorgeous,
poised actress, can sing like Whitney AND act the part with ease.
Is well spoken and personable, sexy as hell AND likable.

Halle Berry crossed with Whitney.
She is signed win or lose.

Chikesie was also brilliant.
I saw him do a very typical but difficult soul number,
Very nice great voice, likable, very marketable in RnB.

But next time he comes out dressed like.. Urkle.. HUH!!!!
BUT he starts back-porch Tennessee,
and suddenly goes full on modern rock.
With his own vocal thing happening
and NAILS it to the floor.
And pins Simon's ears back to the seat too.
Just brilliant!

The guy who rocked out Lionel Ritch was good,
but day two not quite as good. But still very good
and he plays competantly too.

The blues rocker biker chick has a niche, she knows it,
and she nails that too. She will he touring
hard rock clubs and big bike race circuit gigs
for years to come. She won't win, but she
IS established now. We'll see her on a saturday
night at Sturgis race week for sure.
And she will likely do 2-3 very fine albums
with the right producer. Mutt Lange maybe.

I would like to see her sitting in with 38 Special.

I wish someone had tried Lady Madonna,
like Chakka Kahn did with Lenny White.
Nasty, screamingly, jazzy funk.
It was glaringly missing for me.

8 Days a week done pure bluegrass might have cut it,
but the bad 80's Dolly version was a real let down.

And that posing... yuck.
If you are gonna be THAT tacky,
At least do it in some Daisy Dukes!

Across The Universe didn't get across the floor.
I liked his version, but.... WRONG dude!

The guy doing the 50's rock and working the audience
was totally TRIPE and in his MOST annoying vocal range too.
Did he do Wake Me Up Before You Go Go....
They should have just shot him ON STAGE for that alone.

The Austrailian guy, bye bye back to Oz.
Ok, but several walk all over him.

They half-ladyboy was entertaining,
but not enough of a singer.
Get thee to a caberet old chum. Village People circuit.
Got to give him credit he sang well on his exit tune.

Syesha is so totally pro now, she need not win.

Hand her to ANY top producer and you have sold
2-3 million albums, landed 3-4 TV walk ons in sitcoms,
a ton of talk shows and a couple of Tonight Shows.
And that's the FIRST year.

And likely one or two bit parts in films, working up
to a love interest in a Will Smith film in 2 years.
And a James Bond heroine in 3 or 4.
And she will have merchandising; a makeup line,
clothes line; and the list goes on.
She IS a star now.

Brooke makes great emotional connections and deserves to win.
Partly because she needs the push a bit.
She is so laid back, but that is her strong point.
She has a lovely, well controlled voice.
And picks songs she KNOWS inside herself.
But more so, she comes across as 'real' in her singing
and her presence.

It is ALSO very nice to see them actually PLAY INSTRUMENTS.
Gives one hope.

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 24 May 2008 8:20 am

So It must be over now...
Who won?
I have no clue from over here.

Dan Hatfield · Post by **Dan Hatfield** » 24 May 2008 8:34 am

David, the winner is David Cook and I believe I heard the word "landslide" and "won by 12 million votes". Someone correct me if I am wrong.

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 24 May 2008 9:31 am

Cool,
he is a likable performer and actually can play.

Shyesha will have a killer career anyway,
and never needed to win. She may have lost
just because she IS so pro looking and acting.

Donna Dodd · Post by **Donna Dodd** » 24 May 2008 3:50 pm

I DO NOT ACCEPT THAT DAVID A. DIDN'T WIN!!!!!!!

I was so POSITIVE that David A. was going to win, that I called in my vote for him - and then called one in for David Cook since he was such a nice guy!

DUH!! Is something wrong with me?? $:\$

I'm taking my marbles and going home . . .