American Idol

[RPI-Fan]

Anybody going to watch? (I am)

[FBPro]

Tivo is set.

[jbmagic]

love to see the rejects

[Joe]

anyone here audition?

[Suicane75]

Anybody going to watch? (I am)

Intently. I always watch the first few weeks and then abandon ship.

[Eaglesfan27]

Ms. Eaglesfan loves the show and will watch it first episode til the end. I'll watch the early episodes as they are usually humorous and interesting.

[Cuckoo]

Intently. I always watch the first few weeks and then abandon ship.

Ditto. Although my wife usually watches the rest. I tune it out after the first stuff.

[jbmagic]

why on american idol, they let the bad ones thru?

isnt it obvious there bad singer before they meet the judge?

[Franklinnoble]

I've never seen it.

[TLK]

why on american idol, they let the bad ones thru?

isnt it obvious there bad singer before they meet the judge?
ratings and entertainment value

and yes, I plan on watching.... with beer in hand

[gottimd]

why on american idol, they let the bad ones thru?

isnt it obvious there bad singer before they meet the judge?

My Fiances friend tried out for the second one. She said they let those people go through because they are that bad, good for humor and ratings I guess. Many people watch it to see how horrible people are especially when those people that are horrible think they are really good.

[Klinglerware]

why on american idol, they let the bad ones thru?

isnt it obvious there bad singer before they meet the judge?

Because it is considered great entertainment here in America to see oblivious people humiliate themselves on TV.

For those of you living outside the US, do you see the same cringe-worthy preliminary rounds in your country's version of Idol?

[MikeVick7]

Oh...it's totally for ratings. Look how many people in this thread talk about watching the first couple of shows and then stop. Pure entertainment value. Plus I cannot stress how much enjoyment I get out of someone getting told that they suck when they honestly think that they are great.

[ISiddiqui]

Oh...it's totally for ratings. Look how many people in this thread talk about watching the first couple of shows and then stop. Pure entertainment value. Plus I cannot stress how much enjoyment I get out of someone getting told that they suck when they honestly think that they are great.
Yeah, and then when they can't believe that they suck so bad. Like that Keith guy a few years back!

[jbmagic]

and then there some people who will really try to suck so bad, so they can get on tv and get there 15 mins of fame...Like that Hung guy last season :)

[gottimd]

Is William Hung Hall of Fame Material?

[FBPro]

Is William Hung Hall of Fame Material?

No doubt.

[cthomer5000]

I'm not a fan of the show, but I'll admit the 'cattle call' portion of the series is by far the most entertaining. I have no real issue watching the early episodes, but inevitably lose interest when they get to the week-by-week performances.

[atatange1]

I don't watch the actual talent portion of the show. But the first couple of "reject" episodes are great tv.

[sabotai]

I can't beleive they let that psuedo-rocker poser go to the next round. He was horrible.

[Eaglesfan27]

I think they did it mostly for "the drama." I can't see him advancing past the next round.

[sabotai]

Yeah, you're right. That thought crossed my mind when they showed a clip of him quitting the band. Not that it matters, the band sucked too.

[TLK]

*smell the drama*

[Eaglesfan27]

"You sang that as well as the Spice Girls. Unfortunately, that is not a compliment." Simon really cracks me up sometimes.

[cthomer5000]

I just flipped past... why the hell is Mark McGraff there? Are they doing the celebrity judge thing this year?

[jbmagic]

you guys are lucky to see it..


us west coast guys have to wait 8pm pacfic time to see it

[Eaglesfan27]

Yes. A different guest judge during each night of the opening cattle calls.

[sabotai]

As for created drama goes....that was quite anti-climatic.

[TLK]

oh my... this was just sad tonight...

[RPI-Fan]

I can't beleive they let that psuedo-rocker poser go to the next round. He was horrible.

I donno... I thought he was at least worthy of getting another shot in that:

a) he was different and
b) had a passable voice

[sabotai]

I donno... I thought he was at least worthy of getting another shot in that:

a) he showed a willingness to sell out
b) they wanted to create drama

Fixed it for ya. :D

[LoneStarGirl]

I hate this school. They dont let the students watch Fox. Its not available with our cable. I hate them for making me miss my American Idol :(

[Mota]

By the way, Canadian Idol has the exact same format, reject shows and all. Matter of fact, they were the first ones to bring out the "top" rejects together and have them sing a song on one of the live shows later on. Classic.

I thought the rocker dude had potential, although I must admit that he totally lost me when he sang his song. All over the place. But it sure beats the lineup of clones that we've been seeing so far. Can someone please try something different?

[Flasch186]

Paula: "Mark, um your singing well ...... youre a hottie"

Simon: "MArk, you truly should stick with the band as your singing is just downright awful"

Randy: "Yeah dude, you just sing without any harmony. I wasnt diggin' that man"



That is the MArk Mcgrath audition however because he fricking got into singing when all we had is crap on the airwaves we now have to endure him as a celebrity. ugh....who's up next...lead singer from Crazytown?! F$%*!

[judicial clerk]

what is up with the 28 YO age minimum? That seems a little old considering we are in the MTV era.

and I think they should change it to single mom idol.

I was disturbed by the girl who pawned her wedding rings for $200.00 to get to DC for the tryout. She had a good voice and I am glad she made it through, but she seems to have some serious personal issues involving her mentla health and her finances. When she gets booted, she might do something drastic.

[Joe]

what is up with the 28 YO age minimum? That seems a little old considering we are in the MTV era.

and I think they should change it to single mom idol.

I was disturbed by the girl who pawned her wedding rings for $200.00 to get to DC for the tryout. She had a good voice and I am glad she made it through, but she seems to have some serious personal issues involving her mentla health and her finances. When she gets booted, she might do something drastic.


Its a 28 YO maximum, not minimum. I think the minimum is 16.

[wishbone]

tomorrow is just a daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyy aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyy

aaaaaaaaa daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay awaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyy

[Bearcat729]

what is up with the 28 YO age minimum? That seems a little old considering we are in the MTV era.

and I think they should change it to single mom idol.

I was disturbed by the girl who pawned her wedding rings for $200.00 to get to DC for the tryout. She had a good voice and I am glad she made it through, but she seems to have some serious personal issues involving her mentla health and her finances. When she gets booted, she might do something drastic.


This is the one who wouldn't sell her CDs and Karaoke machine right?

My question is why sell all that crap to go to DC? She was from Belpre Ohio which means all she would have had to do is drive a few hours up I-77 to Cleveland for their audition.


I do agree that she looks like the kind of woman who would shoot everyone if she is kicked off.

[Eaglesfan27]

That girl that just sang looks like an early odds favorite to at least make the top 12 and probably further. She is pretty and has a very nice voice.

[TLK]

The chickie from Oklahoma was very... very.... nice :)

[Joe]

yes she was.. mmmmmmmm

[Poli]

My wife just told me one of the groomsmen from my wedding auditioned in St. Louis this summer. News to me, maybe she mentioned it back then.

I guess she hasn't talked to him much since then. I wonder how he did.

Better than those last two, I'd assume.

[Cuckoo]

See, we have some hot chicks in Oklahoma. :)

Of course, none are as hot as my wife... *looking over his shoulder*

[finkenst]

Yeah dude, you just sing without any harmony. I wasnt diggin' that man.
Dude, he's singing alone. It's really hard to sing harmony when you're singing alone.

sheesh

[Suicane75]

I want to take turns on the triplets, yes I do.

I wish i could remember more of the individual performances but does it seem to anyone else that 1 person will sing one way and get put thru and praised while another person will sing the exact same way and get told he/she doesn't have it? There are a few ones that they didn't put thru that I thought were damn good.

[FBPro]

I was thinking about what Simon was saying about the triplets, I think that he was a bit extreme(whatelse is new) and that I wouldn't say that they were fat.....curvy yes. But not fat, besides they've certainly had some AI contestants who moved along in the contest over the years who were much larger than they.

Oh well.

[MikeVic]

I really didn't like how Simon insulted those triplets... that just seemed too much for me. I thought they sang well together, and they didn't even give that middle one a chance by herself after. Calling them all fat? They weren't really that fat... what the hell would you call Ruben then???

Some of the other rejects were funny though. The thing that turns me off the really bad rejects is the likelihood that they are doing it on purpose. I want to see actual people who think they are awesome but really suck. With the Hung thing, I'm thinking most of these horrible singers are just acting to get on TV. Anyone else think so?

[Suicane75]

They weren't fat, they were big boned, and curvy, bodacious, mmm mmm.

And yes, I'm finding my enjoyment of the terrible singers is lessened by the thought that they're faking it.

[finkenst]

I want to take turns on the triplets, yes I do.

I wish i could remember more of the individual performances but does it seem to anyone else that 1 person will sing one way and get put thru and praised while another person will sing the exact same way and get told he/she doesn't have it? There are a few ones that they didn't put thru that I thought were damn good.
hey man. post pix pls. k, thx.

[sabotai]

I'm sure some of them are (trying to be bad to be the next William Hyung or however you spell his name), but considering the amount of horrible singers from the past seasons, I'm sure most really think they can sing. You can usually tell by how they react to the rejection.

[Suicane75]

I'm sure some of them are, but considering the amount of horrible singers from the past seasons, I'm sure most really think they can sing. You can usually tell by how they react to the rejection.

Those 2 white guys at the end of tonights show? They had to be faking it, no?

[TLK]

Those 2 white guys at the end of tonights show? They had to be faking it, no?
nope.... they were both really bad. I also gotta give a high-five to the Brian McKnight guy... nice job guys :)

[SunDancer]

I really didn't like how Simon insulted those triplets... that just seemed too much for me. I thought they sang well together, and they didn't even give that middle one a chance by herself after. Calling them all fat? They weren't really that fat... what the hell would you call Ruben then???

Some of the other rejects were funny though. The thing that turns me off the really bad rejects is the likelihood that they are doing it on purpose. I want to see actual people who think they are awesome but really suck. With the Hung thing, I'm thinking most of these horrible singers are just acting to get on TV. Anyone else think so?

Yeah, but they were right. It's not the "Dixie Chicks" they are looking for, but the next single star. As much as I hate to say it, looks are a big part of music. I didn't see the chicks though, but I heard them.

[Easy Mac]

The girls were fat man... and if you have a little weight on you and don't want to be called fat by a person who's job it is to insult people... don't dress slutty and show off all the fat rolls.

I just have a heard time believing that the vast majority of the people they show really are that delusional. Maybe I'm a skeptic, but I'm pretty sure its a bunch of people who know they're bad, but they just want to be on TV. Why do you think 75% of them said they were janitors or homeless.

[Suicane75]

Yeah, but they were right. It's not the "Dixie Chicks" they are looking for, but the next single star. As much as I hate to say it, looks are a big part of music. I didn't see the chicks though, but I heard them.

I would of liked to have heard them sing individualy, and I'm sorry, but if you can let Rueben and some of those big ass girls from previous versions go thru, you have no right to call them fat (I'm speaking to Simon, not anyone on here).

And they all seemed to sing very well.

[Easy Mac]

I'm pretty sure Simon has called all of them fat. I think Simon has an extremely low tolerance for people who sing as a "group". I think he sees it as a way to mask any shortcomings.

[Suicane75]

What was up with Mark McGrath last night? Did anyone get the sense that he was making Simon his bitch? There were a couple of occasions where Simon would start pontificating and Mark would just snap "yes or no Simon" and Simon would reply and that was that.

Im also glad Paula has developed more a spine as the years have gone on, makes it better to watch.

[Easy Mac]

I just liked how McGrath was oggling the 17 year old in the buttoned down white shirt and her bra showing... not that there's anything wrong with that.

[TLK]

McGrath was agreeing and disagreeing with the rest of them.... never had an opinion of his own....

[SunDancer]

I would of liked to have heard them sing individualy, and I'm sorry, but if you can let Rueben and some of those big ass girls from previous versions go thru, you have no right to call them fat (I'm speaking to Simon, not anyone on here).

And they all seemed to sing very well.

Yeah, I though they should of let them sing individually. My statement was aimed at the girls in the show, but in music in general. The women in the business today that sell are hot or atleast attractive. Men are usually differnet in that regards.

[SunDancer]

I'm pretty sure Simon has called all of them fat. I think Simon has an extremely low tolerance for people who sing as a "group". I think he sees it as a way to mask any shortcomings.

Simon is a very good music exec. But I don't know about that. He hit big on the Teletubies and the "kiddie" craze in music, and then launch Ireland's Westlife (Euro's version of the Backdoor Boys) to the same level in Europe. But the contest is about finding the best single singer, not the best group.

[Anthony]

there were two occasions last nite where Randy would stall giving an answer, then McGrath would withold judgement, once Randy gave his answer Mark gave whatever answer Randy gave.

my wife said she's not going to watch AI anymore. she said it was stupid that that white Joe guy who sang on cruise ships was sent away while they voted to send that lesbian teenager who rapped to Hollywood. i agree with her.

[IMetTrentGreen]

joe sucked

[TLK]

joe sucked
agreed and thought it was good television

[ISiddiqui]

Those 2 white guys at the end of tonights show? They had to be faking it, no?
Yep. I bet it was a radio station prank.

And Cruise Ship Joe? He blew chunks... oh, and the triplets weren't fat.

[stkelly52]

I really didn't like how Simon insulted those triplets... that just seemed too much for me. I thought they sang well together, and they didn't even give that middle one a chance by herself after. Calling them all fat? They weren't really that fat... what the hell would you call Ruben then???
One thing to remember, Simon has really been a record producer. He understands that to make it as a female singer you need to have a look. Sure there are a few exceptions to this rule, but by and large female singers start out their careers thin and sexy. If they don't have that, then they are very unlikly to make it as a recording star. These girls were not way overweight, but they were to heavy to be a pop star. That is what Simon told them in his own callous way.

[Flasch186]

there were two occasions last nite where Randy would stall giving an answer, then McGrath would withold judgement, once Randy gave his answer Mark gave whatever answer Randy gave.

my wife said she's not going to watch AI anymore. she said it was stupid that that white Joe guy who sang on cruise ships was sent away while they voted to send that lesbian teenager who rapped to Hollywood. i agree with her.


I thought neither of them should go and I hate the damn show but it seems no matter where I go in this house or someone else's their riveted to it. Sucks !!!

[Critch]

My wife was mentioning that somebody on one of her boards knows Joe the Cruiseship Singer in real life. Apparently up til last night he'd been claiming that he was invited to Hollywood but decided against going.

So that makes it funnier that they showed him being rejected.

[Klinglerware]

Those 2 white guys at the end of tonights show? They had to be faking it, no?

The guy who sang the David Hasselhoff song had to be doing it as a joke--he didn't look too dejected afterwards...

[tategter]

I thought neither of them should go and I hate the damn show but it seems no matter where I go in this house or someone else's their riveted to it. Sucks !!!

I feel your pain. And yes, of course there are people 'auditioning' that hope to suck so bad they make it on TV. Why do you think they had a 'best of the worst' show last season. AI just plain sux on so many levels. Can't stand the stupid show but my wife loves it. Thank goodness for my FOF addiction.

[duckman]

I'm just waiting to see when the first person gets to Simon and gets the living shit beat out of him. That would be far more entertaining. :D

[Mota]

I usually like Simon a lot, but he seems like a major ass this year. In the past years he'd tell it like it is and pull no punches, but this year he seems especially degrading to the singers, and not for their benefit, but to make himself look cool.

On the other hand I always say that if you're brave enough to go on AI, you'd better make sure you're great or be prepared to get put on the grill. Regardless of whether your mom says you're a good singer.

[FBPro]

Here's the "fat" (according to Simon) girls from AI last week.

http://sk9.photosite.com/New_Folder/

[TLK]

the one in the center looks bigger than first thought.... still nothing too bad, and they've passed on a lot worse in the past...

[Joe]

yeah... they're pretty hot. a little chubby but not fat.

[FBPro]

yeah... they're pretty hot. a little chubby but not fat.

My thoughts exactly, I mean they aren't "bean-poles" but I've certainly seen worse.

[Joe]

though, they're not as hot as that oklahoma farmer girl. whooo hooo

[SunDancer]

Yeah,
But I don't Simon means they are fat in real-life, but in the music industry, you need to skinny as hell and have the look as a female singer. Its sad, but I think its true.

[TLK]

The chickie from Oklahoma has her own fansite already. As disturbing as that is, heres a pic lifted from it....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/TheLionKing/cu-ai4-stl-hires33.jpg

[Joe]

must... visit... site...

[Eaglesfan27]

Like I mentioned earlier, I think she will make it far in this competition. She is very attractive and has a good voice (or at least it sounded good in the try out.)

[SunDancer]

Like I mentioned earlier, I think she will make it far in this competition. She is very attractive and has a good voice (or at least it sounded good in the try out.)

She's kinda got the "next door girl" thing like Clarkson did, but she seems better.

[Marc Vaughan]

I donno... I thought he was at least worthy of getting another shot in that:

a) he was different and
b) had a passable voice
I agreed with the judges, his singing was poor at the start - but he did the chorus excellently and showed some talent and passion in that section of the song ... enough to get into the next round imho.

[Arles]

While probably not the most talented, this girl was the hottest:

http://www.brentnatzle.com/americanidol/archives/sarah%20mather.jpg

[cuervo72]

Yep, big-time hottie.

[Anthony]

i can smell her milky honey thighs from here. yum. someone get me a knife and fork, i'm ready to tear into that.

[TLK]

some of these San Francisco folks can't take rejection well....

[CamEdwards]

watched this for the first time tonight. wow. i can see how this show becomes addictive.

[Ksyrup]

It's only good until they whittle it down to about 8. Then it's the same thing over and over each week, with awful music.

[Ryche]

My favorite is the girl with purple hair who sang Phantom of the Opera last night. Once she's out of the competition, I'm probably done watching.

[Hammer755]

some of these San Francisco folks can't take rejection well....
Was it just me, or was that guy doing the freestyle rap Chris Wylde - the guy who briefly had a show on Comedy Central and is in some lame pizza commercial?

I told my wife that it looked like him when he came out, and then the crazy rapping and the over-the-top exit made me think that he was just there to get a clip for his latest project, whatever that may be.

[TLK]

My favorite is the girl with purple hair who sang Phantom of the Opera last night. Once she's out of the competition, I'm probably done watching.
I feel the same way with the aforementioned Carrie Underwood..... ;)

[Eaglesfan27]

Watching the 12 women tonight, I can't help but notice there are quite a few attractive ladies in the final 12 women's bracket. Carrie Underwood is still my favorite, but she isn't the only hottie.

[Ksyrup]

Carrie Underwood is Jessica Simpson dumb.

These people basically suck. Last night's performances were sooooo bad - the songs were God-awful, and it's just the first round. I liked the 70's rocker dude - he won't win, but he can sing. The women are all blah (talent-wise, that is). I think one of the guys is going to win.

And there was SkyDog in that bizarre BK commercial again!

[TLK]

1 866 IDOLS 04 :)

[FBPro]

1 866 IDOLS 04 :)
Concur

[Ajaxab]

And there was SkyDog in that bizarre BK commercial again!

I could not help thinking the same thing. All that was missing was the display of the patriotic undies.

[Eaglesfan27]

Carrie Underwood is Jessica Simpson dumb.

These people basically suck. Last night's performances were sooooo bad - the songs were God-awful, and it's just the first round. I liked the 70's rocker dude - he won't win, but he can sing. The women are all blah (talent-wise, that is). I think one of the guys is going to win.

And there was SkyDog in that bizarre BK commercial again!
I'm not sure that she is dumb. I think she is naive and has been sheltered which kind of adds to the appeal in my opinion.

She actually sung well tonight too (as well as looked good.)

As far as last night, I agree. That was a bad show. I also liked the 70's rocker dude the best. I don't think he will win. I think Anthony Federov and that last guy will go the farthest. I'm not sure which ladies will yet, but I think Carrie will be there at the end.

[Klinglerware]

She actually sung well tonight too (as well as looked good.)



She did a Tiffany song. That rules...

[Ksyrup]

Mikalah is my worst nightmare - a combination of Fran Drescher and that chick from Friends (the Oh My Gawd chick). Once again, Simon is spot-on - I fucking hate that chick and she better be off quickly before I kill her.

[Ksyrup]

I'm not sure that she is dumb. I think she is naive and has been sheltered which kind of adds to the appeal in my opinion.

She actually sung well tonight too (as well as looked good.)

As far as last night, I agree. That was a bad show. I also liked the 70's rocker dude the best. I don't think he will win. I think Anthony Federov and that last guy will go the farthest. I'm not sure which ladies will yet, but I think Carrie will be there at the end.She did sing well. And I agree, she's probably more Midwestern-dumb than pure dumb. But dumb nonetheless.

[Ksyrup]

After a third viewing, I think comparing SD to Hootie is being kind to Hootie. Not only is the idea of that commercial putrid, but Hootie's performance made it that much worse.

Sorry SD.

[cuervo72]

Mikalah is my worst nightmare - a combination of Fran Drescher and that chick from Friends (the Oh My Gawd chick). Once again, Simon is spot-on - I fucking hate that chick and she better be off quickly before I kill her.

I've likened her to a cross between Drescher and Streisand (I can stand the former a little at least, when she's on mute). VERY annoying.

I think the Turner girl was the best tonight, and the one following her wasn't bad either.

For the guys, I'd like to see Fedorov go far, as he's from Trevose (smack next to F'ville) :)

[Ksyrup]

Nadia Turner can sing in my rock band anytime. She was the best tonight, IMO.

[TLK]

Top three of the chickies... (didn't watch the sausage-fest last night:))

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v520/drummerkid08/AI%204%20Portraits/carrie01.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v520/drummerkid08/AI%204%20Portraits/nadia00.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v520/drummerkid08/AI%204%20Portraits/jessica00.jpg

[EagleFan]

1 866 IDOLS 04 :)


Hell yeah, she's freaking fine (oh, and she also sang well tonight).

Actually, that makes the same number to call for both nights as the rocker dude was the best one last night. It's probably just my tastes but I hope that both of the rockers make the finals. The Bo buy looks mean, so he probably won't get the mainstream support but he can freaking belt it out.



Also, what the hell am I missing? I keep hearing the judges praise people that I thought sucked. Just because they 'put on a show' even though their voice sucked. If I want to hear someone sing, I want them to be able to sing. The stage stuff can be learned (take Queensryche for example, when I first saw them as an opening act they were nothing more than an Iron Maiden rip-off, by the time they did Operation Mindcrime Live their onstage presence had improved dramatically).

[Swaggs]

Carrie Underwood is Jessica Simpson dumb.

These people basically suck. Last night's performances were sooooo bad - the songs were God-awful, and it's just the first round. I liked the 70's rocker dude - he won't win, but he can sing. The women are all blah (talent-wise, that is). I think one of the guys is going to win.

And there was SkyDog in that bizarre BK commercial again!

I'm glad someone else saw that commercial. I thought I might have imagined it or something.

[EagleFan]

crap, I keep missing that commercial.

[ISiddiqui]

I'm glad someone else saw that commercial. I thought I might have imagined it or something.
Actually I thought it was Hootie from Hootie and the Blowfish, isn't it? ;)

Though it just AIN'T RIGHT that they butcher "The Big Rock Candy Mountain" for BK. Just ain't.

[Hammer755]

Carrie Underwood is Jessica Simpson dumb.
My wife is a big fan of AI, so I catch some snippets here and there. They had an interview with this chick (I think it was her) after the first Hollywood show. Sechrest asked her if she had seen any stars in Hollywood and she said, "No, it's been pretty cloudy ever since I got here". It was one of the show's few entertaining moments once the original auditions were over.

[TLK]

Why the hell do they have them sing, after they have been kicked off the show? just stupid...

[Ksyrup]

I've been wondering that for a couple of years. Each week, the least liked person is the only one to sing on the Wednesday show. And they usually chose a bad song, so we have to listen to that again.

[Poli]

I'm glad someone else saw that commercial. I thought I might have imagined it or something.

Ha. The only time I saw it I told my wife about the guy on FOFC that reminds me of Hootie. :)

[jbmagic]

I like to see the system change.

I like to see the judge pick 2 people who they think should not be voted off that week.

this way there safe for the week. and then you go with the lowest score voted by the people to be kick out.

So this way you wont have the mess they had last year when the people voted.

[Ksyrup]

That second chick that got voted out looked like Michelle Pfeiffer circa Grease 2. She also gave the most uninspired "kicked off" performance ever. That was great!

[Joe]

i will miss looking at her jugs

[Easy Mac]

I was hoping the first girl was going to just freak out and attack someone.

And did anyone else think they were overly harsh in getting rid of people? "You're out" seemed kind of mean-spirited.

The girls just suck this year though... I think they split them up boy/girl so they wouldn't have a sausage fest in the final 12.

[Poli]

I wasn't able to watch. Who got the kicked off the show?

[Easy Mac]

That Judd guy, the guy who looks foreign, the slutty girl, and some random girl.

[Cuckoo]

That Judd guy, the guy who looks foreign, the slutty girl, and some random girl.


:D Classic!

[Swaggs]

I'm pretty sure that Darius "Hootie" Rucker is in it and it looked like Brooke Burke from Wild On! was in it, too. Very strange. I just saw it once and only caught the last part, so maybe there are other quasi-celebrities in it.

Tonight's episode had two of the best reactions ever. The first chic was so ticked, I thought she was going to flip. And the second girl needed immediate counseling. I hope they don't leave her in Hollywood, or she will probably be in porn by this weekend.

[Easy Mac]

I'll have to agree with the first girl voted out that this year more than ever, there are a certain group of guys/girls that the producers have pimped excessively to make sure they stay in (the annoying girl, Constantine, Anwar, Ozzie's kid). I love how she just flat out said it... I was half expecting Simon to go up there and smack her

[Easy Mac]

I was glad people finally reacted for real instead of just acting greatful to be there. I've been waiting for 4 seasons for someone to say what the first girl said, and the second one just stood there and sang... I was glad she was basically saying "screw you guys, you want me to be excited to sing after I got kicked out? Whatever." Seacrest seemed like an extra ass tonight though.

[thealmighty]

...I hope they don't leave her in Hollywood, or she will probably be in porn by this weekend.
and the problem with that would be???

[Critch]

I'll have to agree with the first girl voted out that this year more than ever, there are a certain group of guys/girls that the producers have pimped excessively to make sure they stay in (the annoying girl, Constantine, Anwar, Ozzie's kid). I love how she just flat out said it... I was half expecting Simon to go up there and smack her

I liked the way that she blamed everything being unfair rather than blaming herself for being painful to listen to. Jeez she was awful, the only one from either night who was obviously on the way out for a tuneless, screetchy performance.

[Ksyrup]

Of the 4 who got booted, I only recognized Michelle Pfeiffer. That can be blamed mostly on lousy and/or forgettable performances this week, but also partly because their "stories" weren't played up. Then again, in a "talent" show like this, story and personality carry the day as much as singing ability. Some of these people just don't have the stage presence or background to make for a compelling TV story. That's not to blame them, because you can't fabricate who you are, it's just the way it is.

I mean, that Josh kid from a couple of years ago, the country singer who couldn't quite sing, but was in the military...gee, I wonder why he went as far as he did...? It helps to have a story people become invested in and want to root for. Those 4 from last night...we know nothing about them, but that's probably because there wasn't anything particularly noticeable about any of them. A lot of people can sing, but to become Simon's Biatch, you've got to show that you can sell records.

[Thomkal]

I thought the first girl to get booted was the only one who really deserved to go, but I can see why the second girl and the first guy got kicked out. Though when they narrowed it down to two other girls and her, I thought she was safe. I was surprised to see Judd go. He was in tune, had a lot of energy, and had stage presence, which is more than I can say for some of the others like Travis, who I'm amazed wasn't voted out.

I also thought that was a pretty cruel way to reveal he was the one leaving after Seacrest told that row to relax. Didn't like how the judges seemed to change their tune about him either after they generally had positive things to say about him when he performed originally.

Oh and that country kid-Josh, he's gone on to have two Top 10 singles on the country charts, so I guess he could sing a little after all. :)

[Ksyrup]

I also thought that was a pretty cruel way to reveal he was the one leaving after Seacrest told that row to relax. Didn't like how the judges seemed to change their tune about him either after they generally had positive things to say about him when he performed originally.

Oh and that country kid-Josh, he's gone on to have two Top 10 singles on the country charts, so I guess he could sing a little after all. :)Yeah, they're really reaching for new lows on how to build up the suspense of who gets cut. If you recall, though, he specifically told the first row of girls they were "safe," but did not say the same thing to the guys. He just told them that they could relax because he was making the second row "do all the work." Of course, it took me until 5 minutes after the show ended to remember all of that. Pretty shitty for those sitting on the stage.

As far as that Josh guy - since when does singing ability have anything to do with charting...especially in country music?! I'm not saying he was Wiilliam Hung - he could sing OK - but he was nowhere near top 6 or 8 or wherever he made it that year.

[Critch]

Normally I get to a point where a couple of the contestants annoy me so much, I tune in every week in the hope they get kicked out. The girl with the pink hair who couldn't sing in series one, Josh the bad country singing military guy and the teen from Utah who sang like a goat in season two, the Hawaiian chick and Teen Martin last season. Hated them all.

Ahead of schedule I've already got my two hate figures for this season. Mikalah, the botoxed teen, god she's horrible, can't wait till she's gone. On the "boys" side it's fake rocker Constantine, get him off now. Rocker? The dick was in the Broadway production of Rent, where's all the rock sensibilities and being true to yourself there? Plus he sucks.

Aloha, Amanda, Anthony, Janay, Lindsay, Joseph, Nikko and Scott all have the potential to annoy the shit out of me if any of my first two picks are mercifully put out of my misery in the near future.

[Ksyrup]

I like Constantine, but don't think he'll make it very far. Then again, the girls in the voting public would pick him over Bo, I'm sure. If they both want to stick around, they've got to work together, in a sense, to get the judges and the audience off of this "it's him against me" thing, or one week, one of them is going to do badly and get voted off because of a perceived "quota" of rockers.

I don't have a problem with someone being a rocker and doing Broadway - it's all acting in one sense or another. 24/7 Spyz original drummer was in Stomp! and Sebastian Bach has been doing Broadway as well. It's not that unheard of.

And if they even showed up for American Idol tryouts, they pretty much gave up all sense of self-respect at that point haven't they? What's the verse from Tool:

All you know about me is what I've sold you,
Dumb fuck.
I sold out long before you ever even heard my name.
I sold my soul to make a record,
Dip shit,
And you bought one.

[Ksyrup]

Mikalah is, by far, the worst, most annoying person on TV since Fran Drescher. That whiny, nasally-type voice has always been worse than fingers on a chalkboard for me, and this chick just takes it up a notch from there. I'm sure she's nice, and she's certainly got a lot of confidence for her age and all that crap, but she needs to become a professional mime.

It's funny how everyone slags Simon, but he's nearly 100% right in every comment he makes. And Tuesday, he said that half the audience is going to like her, and half is going to find her annoying. If by annoying he means having the uncontrollable urge to kill her, or at a minimum, mute the TV when she opens her mouth and place duck tape on the TV over her face, then yes, I find her a slight bit annoying.

[Eaglesfan27]

I'll have to agree with the first girl voted out that this year more than ever, there are a certain group of guys/girls that the producers have pimped excessively to make sure they stay in (the annoying girl, Constantine, Anwar, Ozzie's kid). I love how she just flat out said it... I was half expecting Simon to go up there and smack her
I agree. I thought she made an excellent point that was true. She wasn't hyped at all. Also, the one guy that got kicked off had been underhyped. I had never seen him before this week's shows.

[Cuckoo]

I agree. I thought she made an excellent point that was true. She wasn't hyped at all. Also, the one guy that got kicked off had been underhyped. I had never seen him before this week's shows.

My wife and I were talking about this last night, and while it's certainly a valid point, you also have to wonder whether it's the chicken or the egg. Is it possible they weren't hyped because they just didn't have the personality or talent the many of the others possessed?

[rkmsuf]

Exactly my point a few posts up. This is a combo TV show/record deal - the idea is to make money. You make money with interesting people, stories, or a combination of both.

When did Clay Aiken become interesting?

[Ksyrup]

Exactly my point a few posts up. This is a combo TV show/record deal - the idea is to make money. You make money with interesting people, stories, or a combination of both.

[Cuckoo]

Exactly my point a few posts up. This is a combo TV show/record deal - the idea is to make money. You make money with interesting people, stories, or a combination of both.

True. The only thing I'd add to what you said is that maybe they don't have the singing talent that the others have as well. Like you said, it's a package deal, and while I think a couple of those that got booted had nice enough voices, I don't think they had a prayer in winning anyway.

Overall, (and some others have said this) I think the girls are REALLY weak this year while the guys are particularly strong. Did anyone actually watch the first season, that final ten of guys? Wow, bad. That guy that got cut last night was far superior to any of the guys from the first season.

[Ksyrup]

When did Clay Aiken become interesting?
Ask the millions of Barry Manilow fans out there who voted for him week after week.

[rkmsuf]

Ask the millions of Barry Manilow fans out there who voted for him week after week.

What a dreadful competition that was. How the show remains popular after that is a modern day miracle.

[Glengoyne]

Ask the millions of Barry Manilow fans out there who voted for him week after week.
Ya know I kinda like Barry Manilow, but I became an Aiken fan after Hearing him do Elton John's "don't let the sun go down on me". I thought he was fantastic as a balladeer(sp?). He had great vocals, and a likeable personality. I think if the fix was ever in on the Idol, it was that year, because as the charts have borne out. Clay was a lot more popular than Ruben.

[Glengoyne]

Oh forgot to mention that I was bummed to see Sarah Mather go last night. I thought she was among the hottest of the girls. Of course I really haven't watched enough to know if she could actually sing.

[rkmsuf]

Fantasia? She's hideous.

What the heck is wrong with people.

[Ksyrup]

Fantasia? She's hideous.

What the heck is wrong with people.Are you mumbling to yourself again? Who mentioned Fantasia?

Or are you just having flashbacks?

[rkmsuf]

Are you mumbling to yourself again? Who mentioned Fantasia?


I do that a lot.

I was just thinking back to how the last two seasons of this show have been dreadful with dreadful winners and it's amazing how strong the viewership is with the same schlep paraded out there for 2 years.

[Klinglerware]

Ya know I kinda like Barry Manilow, but I became an Aiken fan after Hearing him do Elton John's "don't let the sun go down on me". I thought he was fantastic as a balladeer(sp?). He had great vocals, and a likeable personality. I think if the fix was ever in on the Idol, it was that year, because as the charts have borne out. Clay was a lot more popular than Ruben.

I'm not an Aiken fan, but he does fill that Manilow/Bolton adult contemporary niche. Not too much competition in that arena at the moment...

[SunDancer]

Has anyone besides Aiken or Clarkson, even been popular? The first two are popular, but they aren't "stars".

[Ksyrup]

I do that a lot.

I was just thinking back to how the last two seasons of this show have been dreadful with dreadful winners and it's amazing how strong the viewership is with the same schlep paraded out there for 2 years.
I may be in the minority on this site, but I actually thought Fantasia could sing. Her voice is a bit different, and she ain't exactly pretty, but she has talent.

However, I can definitely see her being to someone else what this Mikalah chick is going to be to me. I just hope she doesn't make it too far, but I'm resigned to that probability. It's like I'm having The Nanny flashbacks all over again. I think I'm going to puke. Excuse me.

[Swaggs]

Has anyone besides Aiken or Clarkson, even been popular? The first two are popular, but they aren't "stars".

I would say Clarkson is a star. She has had a few successful hits now, been on soundtracks, and done most of the major shows (Leno, Letterman, SNL). She's built from her initial American Idol surge.

Aiken hasn't done much beyond the American Idol publicity, but will probably have another album out sometime soon that will decide things for him.

[Ksyrup]

Clay Aiken's popularity is comparable with that of former Olympic figure skaters - you never really hear anything about them (unless they're whizzing hubcaps at their ex's), but they put 6-10K people in the seats of mid-sized cities across the country on these huge tours with everyone and their brother from when they were on TV.

It's hard to fathom, really.

[EagleFan]

I agree with Ksyrup, Fantasia had talent. Her voice wasn't exactly my cup of tea but I could see that she had talent. She was one of the best from that season and deserved it. That was the only season that I had wached so I can't comment on the first two seasons.

I cannot take that Mikala chick for one more minute. Her voice is like nails on a chalkboard and she has the most annoying personality.

[MJ4H]

this thread sucks without more pix of carrie

[tategter]

this thread sucks

fixed it for you

[HomerJSimpson]

Seperated at birth?

http://www.realitytvworld.com/images/dbpeople/360.jpg

http://www.atmos.albany.edu/student/cunning/loonette.gif

[TLK]

I can't believe that Oz's son got the boot....

[gottimd]

Mikayla looks like a chick that if she stops going to the gym or working out will be a huge fat ass, like a meatball. She does have DSL's though.

[Ksyrup]

I can't believe Mikalah made it singing a Streisand song. It's like she's taunting me, personally.

I'm happy for the fat dude Scott, but Niko is a much better singer.

[Swaggs]

I think Constantine sucks and should have been left behind for Ozzie Jr.

[TLK]

Mikayla looks like a chick that if she stops going to the gym or working out will be a huge fat ass, like a meatball. She does have DSL's though.
dude.... she's like 16...

[KevinNU7]

Yeah she is still working through puberty. FYI she is 17 now

[Poli]

I was at work. Who got the axe?

[EagleFan]

Ozzie Smith's son, Amanda (the showgirl) and the teenage girl that should have been gone weeks ago (not Mikalah, but her time should be coming up soon). I forget who the other guy was, which is most likely why he's gone.

The one's that should have advanced did:
Bo, Anwar, Carrie and Jessica

[ShaqFu]

Mikalah's Streisand song didn't hurt her. Most viewers probably had Paula's take on it. The girl is bold and isn't your ordinary 17-year-old (she was 16 at the start) Idol contestant. She will go far in this competition, especially if she takes Paula's advice and goes back to what she did in some of her other performances. She is versatile and the versatile singers stick around.

[FBPro]

Mikalah's Streisand song didn't hurt her. Most viewers probably had Paula's take on it. The girl is bold and isn't your ordinary 17-year-old (she was 16 at the start) Idol contestant. She will go far in this competition, especially if she takes Paula's advice and goes back to what she did in some of her other performances. She is versatile and the versatile singers stick around.
But annoying as ........

[TLK]

I just placed a bet on Carrie Underwood to win the whole thing.... I'll be checking myself into Gamblers Anonymous tomorrow...

[FBPro]

I just placed a bet on Carrie Underwood to win the whole thing.... I'll be checking myself into Gamblers Anonymous tomorrow...
While she is one of my favs also, Bo Bice certainly has a chance as does Federov.

(Post #2000 BTW)

[Ksyrup]

Mikalah's Streisand song didn't hurt her.
I'm not talking about hurting her. I'm talking about it hurting me!

Seriously, who can listen to that and not want to pry your ear drums from your ears with a crowbar? She may be able to sing, but the tone of her voice is fingers on a chalkboard, like touching pottery (for me, anyway)...

It's nothing personal, it's just that she is the very personification of what I instinctively cannot stand in a person. That's all.

[Ksyrup]

I don't see Bo winning, unless people listen to Simon. He just doesn't have that cross-over appeal. I'd be shocked if he won, and considering what he can do, I'm hoping he doesn't win, because I'd rather see him hook up with a legitimate band than sing covers of 60s/70s southern blues rock songs on his first AI album. And I think he'd want more than that, too. It would be interesting to see if he got any say whatsoever on that issue, since I know he writes his own stuff.

[HomerJSimpson]

I don't see Bo winning, unless people listen to Simon. He just doesn't have that cross-over appeal. I'd be shocked if he won, and considering what he can do, I'm hoping he doesn't win, because I'd rather see him hook up with a legitimate band than sing covers of 60s/70s southern blues rock songs on his first AI album. And I think he'd want more than that, too. It would be interesting to see if he got any say whatsoever on that issue, since I know he writes his own stuff.


Bo is going to lose, not because of lack of cross-over appeal, but because he is not that strong a singer. One of these theme weeks is going to kill him.

[Ksyrup]

I disagree about his voice, but you're right, anyone is bound to die having to sing Barry Manilow, Neil Sedaka, or Gloria Esteban.

[Thomkal]

I think "we" got it half right with the voting. For the men, Travis sucked and should have been gone the first week and Constantine should have joined him this week. Nikko sang well enough to be in the Top 12 I think, but I don't think he would have gone much further.

For the woman thank god Janay is gone. Amanda probably should have been in the Top 12 based off this week's performance, and Lindsay, who's not been very good should have been out. It wouldn't have surprised me to see Mikalah go last night-she was born to sing Streisand with that voice and personality and blew it big time.

My pick for the best man and woman right now is Mario and Nadia.

[Danny]

The women results I am fine with. Amanda is hot, but I prefer the tone of Lindsey's voice. Janay should have been gone the 1st week.

For the men, Constantine should have been eliminated and Nikko should have stayed. Travis was a no-brainer elimination.

My favorite male performers are Bo and Anwar. My favorite female is Nadia, but the female race is closer. There are some other contestants I like the voice of, but I haven't been impressed with the song choices or they haven't been consistent enough. Overall, at this point, I am rooting for Bo to win.

[Ksyrup]

I've liked Anwar from the beginning. He has substance to him, and I could see him doing more than just singing covers for a living. I thought Simon was dead-on with Constantine's cover of that Police song. It was not good. Niko can really sing and should have stuck around just because of that, but I don't think he has enough personailty that anyone really remembers him after he stops singing.

[cuervo72]

Hmm, pretty much agree with everything Thomkal said.

[KWhit]

Mikalah is the most annoying person on the planet.

[Subby]

I think Anwar is easily the best singer in the competition, but I think his personal "style" needs some work as he comes off a bit old. Mario, on the other hand, has perfected his "style" and is an outstanding performer - making him the favorite right now (imo).

None of the women have a chance.

[KWhit]

Agreed on all counts. I'm pulling for Anwar.

[HomerJSimpson]

I think Anwar is easily the best singer in the competition, but I think his personal "style" needs some work as he comes off a bit old. Mario, on the other hand, has perfected his "style" and is an outstanding performer - making him the favorite right now (imo).

None of the women have a chance.

I disagree. I think that none of the men have a chance, with Nadia being the favorite, and possibly Carrie with an outside chance.

[KWhit]

Is Nadia the hot chick with the afro? I forgot about her. She is the tops of the girls, for sure.

The girls are a lot weaker than the boys this time around.

[HomerJSimpson]

Nadia isn't a strong enough singer to win this thing. She is a great performer, though. She's like Justin Guarini, but likeable.


I think Nadia has a better voice than Mario, and Mario IS Justin Guarini. He had nothing else to do. :D

[Subby]

I disagree. I think that none of the men have a chance, with Nadia being the favorite, and possibly Carrie with an outside chance.
Nadia isn't a strong enough singer to win this thing. She is a great performer, though. She's like Justin Guarini, but likeable.

[Cuckoo]

I thought Nikko was one of the better ones. He has a good voice, was consistent, and didn't look like an idiot up there. I was disappointed he got the axe. He's better than Scott or Constantine at the very least, in my opinion.

[Ksyrup]

I have to admit, I'm surprised Scott has made it this far. His last performance wasn't all that great, and he obviously doesn't have the looks to get by on alone.

[Swaggs]

Mario is the spitting image of FES from That 70's Show.

[HomerJSimpson]

Mario is the spitting image of FES from That 70's Show.


I said good day!

[Eaglesfan27]

I think Anwar is easily the best singer in the competition, but I think his personal "style" needs some work as he comes off a bit old. Mario, on the other hand, has perfected his "style" and is an outstanding performer - making him the favorite right now (imo).

None of the women have a chance.

I think Carrie has a chance if she comes out of her shell a bit more, but I do like Anwar as the best singer. I really like how he carries himself, and I'm rooting for him.

[TRO]

Bo, Anwar and Federov are my top 3 guys. Mario is decent, Scott is average and Constantine needs to leave quick.

Jessica is my fave of the gals, with Nadia and Carrie being very solid. Mikaylah isn't horrendous but doesn't do anything for me. The other two are forgettable in my mind.

[Raiders Army]

Mikalah is the most annoying person on the planet.
I disagree. At least she can be voted off the show. Paula Abdul is the most annoying person on the planet. She contributes nothing. She told Vonzell Solomon (a black chick) that singing R-E-S-P-E-C-T was taking a risk (as did Dawg Randy Jackson). Give me a break. If she sang a Streisand song, then that would be a risk.

At least Paula isn't clapping like a seal anymore. Arf. Arf.

[Glengoyne]

After watching the last couple of weeks, I am in the camp of those that say that the women don't have a chance. This week they could have, maybe should have, gotten rid of three or four women. Because I think the men were that much better across the board this week.

I'm thinking Bo, Antwan(best vocalist), and Federov(Clay II, but that might hurt him) are my favorites among the boys, and I think Bo runs away with after Simon's coronation.

Of the women. I don't think any of them stand a chance of winning, but I like Jessica Sierra, Nadia, and maybe Carrie Underwood. That Cardinale girl could make a move though.

[jbmagic]

I have to admit, I'm surprised Scott has made it this far. His last performance wasn't all that great, and he obviously doesn't have the looks to get by on alone.

Rueben made it :)

[Ksyrup]

Rueben made it :)
Yeah, but Reuben had more of a personality than Scott does...or at least has shown. He's kinda under the radar AND hefty, plus I think Reuben's performances were received much better through this point than Scott's. Just surprising that he's lasted with the cards stacked against him.

[FBPro]

Mikalah is the most annoying person on the planet.
Not sure I'd go that far but she is ranked.

[Joe]

Yeah, but Reuben had more of a personality than Scott does...or at least has shown. He's kinda under the radar AND hefty, plus I think Reuben's performances were received much better through this point than Scott's. Just surprising that he's lasted with the cards stacked against him.


I wonder if Scott sweats as much as Ruben when performing. I swear, every time Ruben was on stage it looked like he was about to collapse.

[Daimyo]

I think Bo is the best by far at this point, but I also like Scott and Anwar. Constantine is pretty bad and Federov is my second-least favorite of the men, but I'm sure he'll go far because of the good-guy look he has. Nadia is the only girl in the ball game right now IMO, but Carrie has the potential to make a move I think.

EDIT: I thought Constantine was already voted off.

[Daimyo]

DOLA, Constantine and Mikalah have to go... they're super weak.

[Arles]

Anwar won't win - he looks too old, almost fatherly. Jessica is the dark horse. She's kind of like Kelly Clarkson in the first year in that she hasn't gotten that much pub to the final 12, but has been one of the better performers. My guess is she will start picking up steam and make a run down the stretch.

Outside of Jessica, I think it will come down to Federov and Nadia. They seem to me to be the best at handling each type of challenge week to week. I see Carrie being very good in some themes, same with Bo and Mario. But they won't hold up every week. Anwar has the talent to win, but I really think the age thing knocks him out. No one wants their dad to be the next American Idol.

[Arles]

The Wizard offered him two autographed cards and a fat check to leave ;)

[TLK]

'American Idol' Shocker: Mario Out, Nikko In
(Sunday, March 13 01:39 PM)
LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) "American Idol" will begin its Final 12 on Tuesday (March 15) with a different dozen than viewers saw unveiled last Wednesday night. In a surprising move, Mario Vazquez has withdrawn from the popular FOX talent show and will be replaced by Nikko Smith.

Offering no explanation beyond the always vague "personal reasons," FOX announced on Sunday (March 13) that Vazquez would no longer be competing on "Idol." A 27-year-old from New York City with smooth dancing moves and a pure voice, Vazquez had been one of the favorites since his "Idol" audition in Las Vegas.

A recent set of odds put out by an offshore betting group had Vazquez as a third betting choice, behind only Anwar Robinson and Bo Bice.

Smith, son of Cardinals and Padres great Ozzie Smith, will take the place in the Top 12 that many viewers had assumed would be his before his unexpected departure last week. Smith had been considered another of the competition's favorites after strong renditions of "Georgia on my Mind" and "Let's Get It On" in the previous two weeks, but was not originally one of the six leading votegetters among the "Idol" men.

Check Zap2it for further information as it becomes available.

[Joe]

Mario was a backup singer for Michael Jackson on his "Invincible" CD.. maybe he has to do something at the trial?

[Easy Mac]

He got a date with Lindsay Lohan?

I say good day.

[TLK]

Anyone care to venture a guess at why he "left" the show?

[Danny]

Gay Porn

[Solecismic]

The rumor is that he fell ill suddenly. But who knows. Maybe he's considered a professional because of the Invincible thing. Maybe he's even on the list to testify.

I like Nadia's style, but her voice is probably the weakest this side of Lindsey. Vonzell and Jessica don't really have a chance. Mikalah's a wild card because she's up and down and has a lot of personality. Carrie's the best voice among the women, but seems like someone who could really tank a week.

Among the men, I've been very impressed with Bo. Anwar has the fans, seems a little too polished and unexciting. Scott and Constantine are pretty bad, Nikko can be wildly inconsistent and prone to errors. Anthony has a lot of talent, but is a little too old to be cute.

I agree with the analysts that this is Bo's competition to lose. Anwar second. Nadia a very undeserving third. Carrie fourth and Anthony fifth.

[Rizon]

Does Nikko only get 2 days to practice, or do they hold them on for awhile as "backups"?

[Joe]

being a professional doesnt matter. It only matters if you're signed to a contract and have management. It's not an amateur competition.

[Eaglesfan27]

Over the age limit?

[Cuckoo]

The rumor is that he fell ill suddenly. But who knows. Maybe he's considered a professional because of the Invincible thing. Maybe he's even on the list to testify.

I like Nadia's style, but her voice is probably the weakest this side of Lindsey. Vonzell and Jessica don't really have a chance. Mikalah's a wild card because she's up and down and has a lot of personality. Carrie's the best voice among the women, but seems like someone who could really tank a week.

Among the men, I've been very impressed with Bo. Anwar has the fans, seems a little too polished and unexciting. Scott and Constantine are pretty bad, Nikko can be wildly inconsistent and prone to errors. Anthony has a lot of talent, but is a little too old to be cute.

I agree with the analysts that this is Bo's competition to lose. Anwar second. Nadia a very undeserving third. Carrie fourth and Anthony fifth.

I agree with almost everything you said except that about Nikko. I thought he was the most consistent along with probably Nadia of them all, and I couldn't find a mistake for him. His weakness is his personality and was probably why he got booted last week, but I certainly never saw consistency as a problem for him.

[jbmagic]

Vazquez, 27, cited "personal reasons" for his withdrawal, Fox announced in a statement. The New York City singer, who works with emerging musical artists, had been picked by many fans and three fellow finalists as a favorite to win the competition.

Vazquez told TV Guide Online that he dropped out to "take care of some personal issues with my family in New York. And with 'Idol' being a live show, it just wouldn't have worked out schedule-wise."

He said his departure had nothing to do with Fox or the show itself.

"It's just a personal family thing," he told the Web site. "My family is my top priority."

[HomerJSimpson]

My wife read somewhere that he was unwilling to sign the final contract that gives AI "ownership" over the finalist for the next 2 years. I don't know how true that is (that he didn't want to sign. There is no doubt the contract stinks and others have complained about that).

[Arles]

My wife read somewhere that he was unwilling to sign the final contract that gives AI "ownership" over the finalist for the next 2 years. I don't know how true that is (that he didn't want to sign. There is no doubt the contract stinks and others have complained about that).
This certainly makes some sense. I've thought that at some point a person would purposefully lose later in the competition as they would have all the noteriaty from being in the competition, yet be free to sign with an agent and have options for a record.

IIRC, the moment you start with the final 12, you are required to sign some sort of contract to do the "Idol tour" even if you don't win.

[Ksyrup]

I also read some "insider reports" (i.e., gossip) along the same lines - that he wasn't enjoying himself and that he felt like going much further might actually hurt his career.

Here's my completely uneducated speculation - he's been compared more than once in the press to Justin Guarini, and we all know that he is known more as a butt of AI jokes than for his talent. Perhaps Mario was worried he would travel the same path and not have any control over his career, ultimately becoming damaged goods rather than having a successful career. He's already become well-known, so why not strike out on his own and start his career on his own terms?

I wonder if there is any requirement that they not have contact with other companies, agents, etc.? I wonder if making the top 12 was the cutoff, that he would have had to sign some sort of agreement selling his soul to them, and he didn't trust that if he made it to the end, they would put him on the track for a successful career.

Just "idol" speculation...

[Ksyrup]

IIRC, the moment you start with the final 12, you are required to sign some sort of contract to do the "Idol tour" even if you don't win.
OK, that's what I was thinking of.

[HomerJSimpson]

I think this will be the last year that a more firm contract is not signed before the final 12. If this guy is successful after this, this will become common practice if they dont tie them up earlier.

[KWhit]

Nadia rocks.

[TLK]

Nadia rocks.
Same with Bo.

[Eaglesfan27]

Nadia, Bo, and Vonzell are the only ones who I've enjoyed listening to tonight. The rest have sucked.

[KWhit]

I don't care for Vonzell at all, so I'm not with you on that one. But Bo was good and I love Anwar (even though he was only so-so tonight).

[Eaglesfan27]

Anwar is my favorite singer. He has a great voice and he seems like such a genuinely good person from what little I can see. I thought he was decent tonight and didn't mean to lump him in with the others.

I think Nikko is doing very well, particularly, when one considers he probably only had a few days to prepare.

[TLK]

The Good
1. Nadia
2. Bo
3. Constantine

The Bad
10. Jessica
11. Mikalah
12. Lindsay

The Ugly
Despite looking her best, Lindasy goes home tomorrow. She didn't sound too great tonight, and doesn't have any memorable performances to fall back on. The only other person I could see going, would be Niko. He didn't have the support to stay before, but turned in a decent showing tonight.... hopefully it'll be enough to stay.

edit: Top 12 Tonight (overall)
1. Nadia (1)
2. Bo (2)
3. Constantine (5)
4. Carrie (4)
5. Anwar (3)
6. Scott (7)
7. Anthony (9)
8. Vonzell (6)
9. Nikko (10)
10. Jessica (8)
11. Mikalah (11)
12. Lindsay (12)

[KWhit]

The Good
1. Nadia
2. Bo
3. Constantine

The Bad
10. Jessica
11. Mikalah
12. Lindsay

The Ugly
Despite looking her best, Lindasy goes home tomorrow. She didn't sound too great tonight, and doesn't have any memorable performances to fall back on. The only other person I could see going, would be Niko. He didn't have the support to stay before, but turned in a decent showing tonight.... hopefully it'll be enough to stay.
I agree with this pretty much, but I'd replace Constantine with Anwar (not so much from tonight's performance, but from the competition as a whole). And I have Anwar at #1 right now. If you are just going from tonight's performance, I'd have to put the blond country girl in at 3rd best.

[Easy Mac]

My list from the night... this is not overall, but just for tonight.
1. Bo
2. Scott
3. Constantine
4. Federov
5. Vonzell
6. Nadia
7. Anwar
8. Nikko
9. Carrie
10. Jessica
11. Mikalah
12. Lindsay

I really hope Carrie perks up a bit, becuase she's so damn cute I want to watch her every week. No logical reason Bo should lose. Scott needs some charisma, because he has a very good voice, but he just seems so scared or out of his element. Mikalah looked yummy from the waist to neck, but I can't listen to her at all. Lindsay is horrible. I hate Federov, but he was decent. Nadia Anwar had off nights, but I don't think they should win. Nikko sounded ok, but he has a lot of charisma. Constantine sounded his best since the Seal song (I really like that one). His voice is just too limited, though. Jessica sounded rough, and looked even worse.

[KWhit]

Here's my rankings for tonight only.

1) Nadia
2) Bo
3) Carrie
4) Scott
5) Anwar
6) Constantine
7) Nikko
8) Vonzell
9) Federov
10) Mikalah
11) Jessica
12) Lindsay

I'm pulling for Anwar.

[jbmagic]

how did show explain about Nikko coming back?

[Easy Mac]

Something about Jesus and a giant furry bunny with eggs.

[HomerJSimpson]

Here is mine:

1) Nadia
2) Anwar
3) Bo
4) Constantine
5) Carrie
6) Scott
7) Jessica
8) Vonzell
9) Federov
10) Lindsay
11) Nikko
12) Mikalah


I'm just not getting the love for Nikko. Is it because he is Ozzie's kid? I loved the Wizard of Oz, but his son sucks, has always sucked, and continued tonight to suck.

[FBPro]

I just CAN'T listen to Mikalah another week..........God PLEASE give us a hand with this one :)

[Ksyrup]

I was with Simon tonight - Nikko was horribly off. Federov is like a whiter version of Clay, if that is possible. I really like Anwar, but he's killing himself with bad song choices. He might as well be 40 years old.

Bo is clearly the best, even if he's a mismatch for the show. I shudder to think what they'll do to him if he wins. He needs to be in a band with a great song writer (I don't know well he writes, but I know that he does).

[Arles]

I think Federov will win.

I say Anwar looks like a Father out there and he goes out and chooses Burt Bacharat?! What's next - Perry Como? :rolleyes: Carrie just doesn't have the voice or presence. Constantine is Justin with a slightly better voice (just slightly). Scott looks scared and will have an off-night, same with Vonzell. I thought Jessica was better, but she won't make it based on tonight. Nikko, Lindsay and Mikelah just are not that good.

That leaves Anthony, Bo and Nadia. Bo isn't a good fit for the contest and he will at some point have to sing a non-Bob Seger esque song. Nadia won't have the fan following Anthony will by the end and he will edge her out, IMO.

[EagleFan]

I just CAN'T listen to Mikalah another week..........God PLEASE give us a hand with this one :)


Amen. If I have to hear Paula say how much she loves her voice again, I'm going to scream. I can't see it at all.

[RPI-Fan]

I hated the category tonight.

In fact, if somebody signs a song I haven't heard before (or don't recognize), they are almost always placed at the bottom of my list (unless they overwhelm me). Tonight, I MAYBE recognized one or two.

Not the performers' fault -- this one was the producers. Ah, well -- better to get it out of the way now, I guess.

[sabotai]

I recognized all of the songs....you sir, are out of touch with music!!!!

(Or it could be that I listen to the oldies station sometimes at work....one or the other. :D )

[Cuckoo]

Really strange to see the massively different opinions from mine. I still like Nikko, and I always have. It has nothing to do with the fact that he's Ozzie's son; I just think he has a nice quality to his performances, even without a huge voice.

And although he has one of the best voices in the competition, I'm just not a big fan of Anwar.

So far, I'd say:

Nadia
Bo
Carrie
Nikko
Federov
Anwar
Constantine
Jessica
Vonzell
Scott
Lindsay
Mikalah

[Ksyrup]

I hated the category tonight.

In fact, if somebody signs a song I haven't heard before (or don't recognize), they are almost always placed at the bottom of my list (unless they overwhelm me). Tonight, I MAYBE recognized one or two.

Not the performers' fault -- this one was the producers. Ah, well -- better to get it out of the way now, I guess.
The bigger problem was that it was clear 75% of the contestants didn't know these songs until last week when they had to choose. Last night's show stunk, and it's because they forced the performers to sing songs they didn't know. Bo and Carrie rightly chose songs they had performed (pre-AI) before. You just can't get good performances out of people who not only have to learn how to sing the song in less than a week, but aren't familiar with the song to begin with.

And I hate to sound like Simon, but anyone who listened to Nikko last night and thought that vocally, he was on, must have turnips in his/her ears. He gave a good "performance," marred only by the fact that he barely hit 10% of the notes. That was almost as bad as Trent's ditty last week, except Nikko didn't beat box.

People get lulled to sleep by so many boring, safe ballad-type songs, that the minute someone shows a little energy on stage, the audience mistakes it for a great performance. Not always the case. I had my head cocked to the side and kept shaking my head/looking over at wife like "wtf?" during that whole performance, and was shocked only Simon called it right.

[Ksyrup]

And btw, I can't believe you only knew 2 of those songs. Really, there's no excuse for that. Go get yourself as music education! Not saying I liked all of those songs, but I was certainly familiar with them.

[Joe]

how can you not know songs from the temptations, jackson 5, smokey robinson & the mircales, etc., etc. Anyway, I think Nikko did a pretty good job for only having a few days between knowing he was in the competition and the monday taping of last night's show.

[cuervo72]

I thought the 60s was about as broad a category as you could get. You could have possibly had (ok, most songs probably wouldn't have been cleared, but whatever) most of Motown (Marvin Gaye, Aretha, Supremes, Smokey Robinson, etc), the Beatles, Who, Rolling Stones, Doors, Led Zepplin (ok, these would be mostly for Bo I guess :) ), Tina Turner, CCR, Stevie Wonder, Dylan, Elvis, Mamas & Papas, Beach Boys, Simon & Garfunkel, Ray Charles...

Nothing wrong with the *category*. Some of the song choices maybe. But to say there is a limited selection to choose from from the 1960's? Come on, RPI.

[cuervo72]

Dola - TOM JONES!!!!!

[KevinNU7]

I hated the category tonight.

In fact, if somebody signs a song I haven't heard before (or don't recognize), they are almost always placed at the bottom of my list (unless they overwhelm me). Tonight, I MAYBE recognized one or two.

Not the performers' fault -- this one was the producers. Ah, well -- better to get it out of the way now, I guess.
I'm 24 and I knew atleast 8 of those songs

[TRO]

Mine:

Nadia
Bo
Carrie
Constantine (he did well last night but I still don't like him)
Anwar
Federov
Scott
Vonzell
Jessica
Nikko
Lindsay
Mikalah

Lindsay and Mikalah are the only two that I think did bad enough to deserve to get the boot, Mikalah especially.

[Ksyrup]

Mikalah's birth was enough for her to deserve to get the boot. Words don't adequately describe the loathing I have for her. It's nothing personal, it's just that every bit of her disgusts me.

[Flasch186]

Mikalah is awesome. Her belly, her ears....when she did the streisand song the other week....OMG, it was like a symphony. Ill bet she isn't materialistic at all. You can tell. She is so awesome....

the above is harder to type than it looks.

[HomerJSimpson]

Mikalah is awesome. Her belly, her ears....when she did the streisand song the other week....OMG, it was like a symphony. Ill bet she isn't materialistic at all. You can tell. She is so awesome....

the above is harder to type than it looks.

You ARE a great actor.

[Ksyrup]

Does anyone know anything about her? I think she's from Vegas, but she must be originally from Drescherville.

[KevinNU7]

Every time she is talking I can't believe she isn't from Long Island. I think she is infatuted with Barbara Streisand and just started talking like her. If her normal talking voice wasn't so anoying she would actually be a good singer, when she goes very high and loses the crap accent she sounds good IMO.

I have to say I'm ashamed of her parents, the girl is 17 and her tits and stomach are hanging out all over the place, I wouldn't allow my daughter to dress like that. Are they trying to get the pedophile vote?

[Ksyrup]

Every time she is talking I can't believe she isn't from Long Island. I think she is infatuted with Barbara Streisand and just started talking like her. If her normal talking voice wasn't so anoying she would actually be a good singer, when she goes very high and loses the crap accent she sounds good IMO.

I have to say I'm ashamed of her parents, the girl is 17 and her tits and stomach are hanging out all over the place, I wouldn't allow my daughter to dress like that. Are they trying to get the pedophile vote?
I'd guess there are a ton of people from Vegas that aren't actually from Vegas, so it's quite possible she wasn't born there.

[Swaggs]

My wife gets physically revolted by the sight of Constantine. It is funny. When he gives his little looks to the camera, she gasps.

I can't stand Federov. He looks like he is wearing a helmet or something. I will vote for everyone else 10 times if it helps get him off.

[Ksyrup]

The only way I can describe Federov is that he's a whiter version of Clay. He's simply a Barry Manilow-type, unable to sing anything else with any kind of conviction or genuineness. If he wins, they're going to have a nightmare trying to promote 2 Manilows. There is only so much schlock sung by 20 year olds that 50 year old women can take.

[HomerJSimpson]

I will vote for everyone else 10 times if it helps get him off.


Kinky.

[Cuckoo]

That was almost as bad as Trent's ditty last week, except Nikko didn't beat box.


I would say that I respectfully disagree, but given how I seem to never agree with your musical tastes, I'll remove the respectfully. ;)

Anyone who thinks that was as bad as Travis (I think is who you meant) last week, has a whole garden of vegetables in their ears. :D

[Flasch186]

i asked GF if any women would find Constantinople good looking and she said possibly until he makes a gesture or puts his haird behind his ear or winks, or basically moves. tough to sing in a box but perhaps he should try it.

[Ksyrup]

I would say that I respectfully disagree, but given how I seem to never agree with your musical tastes, I'll remove the respectfully. ;)

Anyone who thinks that was as bad as Travis (I think is who you meant) last week, has a whole garden of vegetables in their ears. :D
Honestly, I'm with Simon. I don't see how everyone listening to that didn't cringe through every awful note. It wasn't a bad overall performance (I'll give him points for not being boring), just a bad vocal performance. Maybe his energetic, half-singing, half-out of breath vocals masked how badly he was out of tune.

[Cuckoo]

Honestly, I'm with Simon. I don't see how everyone listening to that didn't cringe through every awful note. It wasn't a bad overall performance (I'll give him points for not being boring), just a bad vocal performance. Maybe his energetic, half-singing, half-out of breath vocals masked how badly he was out of tune.


I don't necessarily disagree with you, although I think you're just exaggerating it a little bit. There's no question, at least to me, that Nikko does not have the best voice in the competition, not even close. However, I think he is ten times the performer that many of them are. And when I'm looking at a type of music that I probably wouldn't listen to anyway, I look more for something that is unique than just pure vocal quality.

Like you said in one of your earlier posts, there's only so much I can take of that mediocre ballad singing that goes on in much of this thing. So when someone has some energy and offers a good performance (very, very unlike Travis), I want that person to stay in for my own sanity.