American Idol 2007

[wade moore]

They've said numerous times that the votes are around 25-30 million.

[Mustang]

Originally Posted by Toddzilla

Howard Stern has no influence over the American Idol vote. None.

If Howard Stern was the only one doing this, I would agree with you but, he isn't. There is a cumulative effect on all this hosts and all these websites touting Femjaya and trying to make him the next American Idol.

Howie Mandel is filling in for Regis and he even predicted Sanjaya would win because of everyone voting for the worst.

[lordscarlet]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

If I'm being nit-picky, I thought Melinda (and a couple others) should have been taken to task for not sticking to the obvious theme of the night. I guess the songs she and a couple others chose were technically British songs from the 60s, but when you call the theme British Invasion and have Peter Noone as the guest coach, you really shouldn't be choosing Broadway show songs. I was a little disappointed that we didn't hear enough real British Invasion songs. In fact, when Melinda came out with what looked like a mop-top hairdo, I thought she was paying homage to the Beatles. Turns out that was just a bad hair night.

Amen! Blake and Chris Sligh get ripped for what they did to Diana Ross songs, but the "Divas" compeltely disregard the British Invasion theme and they are lauded. Melinda in particular is being put on a pedastool by the show when she is absolutely out of tune with what an American Idol winner should be. She sings music no one cares about, she is a trained and paid professional, and she has little to no charm (the "who? me?" routine is quite tired and irritating).

[Ksyrup]

I thought Simon's comments to her about whether she really is that nice were odd. He has said that at least twice before to her, and you're right, it's getting old. That, combined with the fact that she seems immune from criticism (of her clothing, style, and song choice, if not her performances)...maybe she suffers some backlash from it all.

I'm still not sold on the "ringer" thing, though. Both she and Brandon were essentially backup singers who got a shot on the show. They had no idea how they would turn out, and one of them showed why he was a backup singer, and the other is flurishing. I don't mind professionals who never got a shot being on the show, the problem with this season is simply that she has no competition - from a purely technical standpoint. She's still not really AI material, though. Simon has jumped on others for this in the past, and his refusal to even broach the subject with her is starting to tick me off.

[MJ4H]

Originally Posted by lordscarlet

I think you are one of only a small number of people. That, as I believe Wade said, is my biggest problem with her. Is she the best singer? Yes. Do I care anything about what she sings? No. I'd probably be more likely to buy a Sanjaya album than a Melinda album. IF she wins she might have the worst selling Idol album yet.

I have little doubt that I do not share musical tastes with the majority. This, I am not uncomfortable with.

[Ksyrup]

There's a place for niche AI singers, even the winners. I had no clue how well Carrie Underwood had done after she won, since I hardly ever heard from her outside of the show. And Josh Gracin, who didn't even come close to winning, has hit it big on the country charts. I think AI's problem is that they really haven't had anyone replicate Kelly Clarkson's success on the general pop charts. Discounting the first album from each winner, which ordinarily flies off the shelves based on the simple herd mentality, most follow-ups haven't done that well or were targeted at a specific demographic or genre, as opposed to being across-the-board pop hits. Melinda would be like a Reuben, I guess, but maybe even more confined to her style than he was.

[Logan]

Originally Posted by wade moore

They've said numerous times that the votes are around 25-30 million.

That's what I thought, but I wasn't sure if that number was for votes or for viewers. They seem to throw both out at you at different times.

I don't think it's anywhere near impossible for 5% of those votes to be coming from Stern, primarily, plus all the others combined as it was pointed out by someone.

Adding 5% onto any of the 11 left would be enough to keep them around for awhile.

I also don't understand why it's believable for someone who loves Sanjaya and wants him to stay to dial and vote nonstop for 2 hours, but someone who hates him and wants him to stay can't do the same.

Originally Posted by Mustang

Howie Mandel is filling in for Regis and he even predicted Sanjaya would win because of everyone voting for the worst.

Well, that's really impossible, unless he suddenly became a great singer. Eventually you're going to get to the point where there's not many contestants left, so while the people who are only voting for Sanjaya in a Vote for the Worst sense might marginally grow over the next, let's say, 8 weeks, you're going to have the "true" voters stop spreading their votes around to a bunch of different people, and it will basically end up as (Entire Nation of Voters - Sanjaya Fan Nonstop Voters) being a much larger percentage than (Sanjaya Fan Nonstop Voters + Sanjaya Hater Nonstop Voters).

[Ksyrup]

Originally Posted by Logan

Well, that's really impossible, unless he suddenly became a great singer. Eventually you're going to get to the point where there's not many contestants left, so while the people who are only voting for Sanjaya in a Vote for the Worst sense might marginally grow over the next, let's say, 8 weeks, you're going to have the "true" voters stop spreading their votes around to a bunch of different people, and it will basically end up as (Entire Nation of Voters - Sanjaya Fan Nonstop Voters) being a much larger percentage than (Sanjaya Fan Nonstop Voters + Sanjaya Hater Nonstop Voters).

History shows that he won't stay on the show long enough to affect the legitimacy of the competition (see: Scott Sabol, Chicken Little, John Stevens, John Peter Lewis, Mikaylah Gordon), so you're right.

[Arles]

Originally Posted by Lathum

Because Stern is an ass like that. He is encouraging his listeners to vote Sanjaya and sabatoge the competition.

I just don't see how keeping "interesting" people on the show is akin to sabatage. IMO, if people wanted to sabatoge the show, they would vote down to Melinda, Lakisha, Chris Sligh and Stephanie and we would get essentially the same bland show every week regardless of the "theme". Keeping people like Sanjaya, Jordin, Chris R and Blake around give a chance that atleast each show is different and potentially entertaining (for different reasons, of course).

If the final 3 gets down to any combo of Melinda, Lakisha, Chris S and Stephanie - I will stop watching and not care one bit about who wins.

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by Arles

I just don't see how keeping "interesting" people on the show is akin to sabatage. IMO, if people wanted to sabatoge the show, they would vote down to Melinda, Lakisha, Chris Sligh and Stephanie and we would get essentially the same bland show every week regardless of the "theme". Keeping people like Sanjaya, Jordin, Chris R and Blake around give a chance that atleast each show is different and potentially entertaining (for different reasons, of course).

If the final 3 gets down to any combo of Melinda, Lakisha, Chris S and Stephanie - I will stop watching and not care one bit about who wins.

I'll be surprised if Stephanie lasts more than 2 or 3 more weeks unless she steps it up. I also think Chris S has very little chance of making it into the final 3. Right now, I'd predict Blake being in the final 3 along with 2 of the girls.

[Ksyrup]

I don't care who wins regardless of who makes the final 3 or 4, so that won't affect my viewing habits one bit. I think the issue with keeping crappy singers/performers on the show is the idea that they should have some value to the competition, as opposed to the show. You're right, though, that for someone like me, as much as I bitch about how bad he is, for AI as TV show, he is one of the few pure entertaining parts left. But it's difficult to separate what is good TV and what is good for a supposedly legitimate talent competition. As we're seeing with Sanjaya, those two interests can be mutually exclusive.

[Ksyrup]

Stephanie is the most overrated contestant this year. Maybe it's her style that keeps me from "getting it," but she has never been in tune to my ears. She flops around the melody too much to consistently hold the correct pitch.

[Toddzilla]

Originally Posted by Logan

Well, in order to determine if it's possible, we'd have to know how many "votes" are actually cast (not people voting, total aggregate number). Any idea?

I'm willing to bet it's possible.

I would have to think it is in the tens of millions at least. I know the comment a few years ago was that more people voted in the Reuben/Clay AI final than the presidential election, and that's around 100 million I think.

[Arles]

Originally Posted by Eaglesfan27

I'll be surprised if Stephanie lasts more than 2 or 3 more weeks unless she steps it up. I also think Chris S has very little chance of making it into the final 3. Right now, I'd predict Blake being in the final 3 along with 2 of the girls.

I'd be real disappointed if Lakisha and Melinda were both in the final 2. Maybe they've both "earned it", but having to sit through their "theme independent" and repetitive songs for the next 8-9 weeks would be extremely aggitating. I think that having one of them (prob Melinda), Blake and someone out of Jordin/Chris R/Gina would make for a much more interesting finish.

[Ksyrup]

Chris R. won't make it that far...I have Jeff Gillooly's cell number in case he lasts another 3 or 4 weeks.

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally Posted by Arles

I'd be real disappointed if Lakisha and Melinda were both in the final 2. Maybe they've both "earned it", but having to sit through their "theme independent" and repetitive songs for the next 8-9 weeks would be extremely aggitating. I think that having one of them (prob Melinda), Blake and someone out of Jordin/Chris R/Gina would make for a much more interesting finish.

Yeah, I said 2 of the girls because I'm hopeful that Jordin will continue to step up and be in the final 3 with either Melinda or Lakisha. I think most likely Lakisha as I think Melinda's personality will eventually hurt her. We are already starting to see some backlash on here re: Simon's repeated comments about "how nice" Melinda is - which I find sort of odd. If she is really nice, Simon doesn't need to keep saying it. I don't think it should hurt her in the voting, but I suspect it will.

[MJ4H]

My prediction for the final three is Melinda, Blake, Jordin.

[Ksyrup]

Originally Posted by Eaglesfan27

We are already starting to see some backlash on here re: Simon's repeated comments about "how nice" Melinda is - which I find sort of odd. If she is really nice, Simon doesn't need to keep saying it. I don't think it should hurt her in the voting, but I suspect it will.

My theory on this is that Simon doesn't have anything else to say because he won't criticize her and there's nothing else to talk about with her. The only identifiable personality trait she has is her niceness. She apparently has no backstory other than the professional background singer thing, which has been run into the ground. And if Simon truly wants the best singer to win, he refuses to criticize her in any way because he knows she is hands-down the best singer.

[path12]

Originally Posted by MattJones4Heisman

My prediction for the final three is Melinda, Blake, Jordin.

That would be my guess right now also.

[wade moore]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

My theory on this is that Simon doesn't have anything else to say because he won't criticize her and there's nothing else to talk about with her. The only identifiable personality trait she has is her niceness. She apparently has no backstory other than the professional background singer thing, which has been run into the ground. And if Simon truly wants the best singer to win, he refuses to criticize her in any way because he knows she is hands-down the best singer.

I have a different theory. I think there is a growing theory out there in the masses (i know for instance Tony Kornheiser has said it on his show multiple times) that the "Golly Gee" stuff from Melinda is all an act.

I think AI has shown in the past that they try to address things like this indirectly - so I think that's what Simon is doing.

[Ksyrup]

I don't know, hard to see how it could be a total act. With McPhee, you could pretty much tell she was probably a bitch backstage, but I don't see Melinda pulling off an act like that. The reason I say that is that she doesn't seem to be putting it out there herself - I don't see it as blatantly as Pickles "calamari" routine, for example - but rather, people around her are raising the issue. And what's she supposed to say - "No, really I'm just a stuck-up bitch looking to make millions and this is all an act because I have no personality other than this made-up good girl persona"?

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Mcphee is goofy/smily/sexy. Don't you dare start saying things like she's a bitch. You know what that can do to a man who just had a relapse of McPheever since her album/music video came out? So just stop it.

As for Haley, I don't see Kitaen at all. A little Osmond. But I think she's looks more like Christina Applegate or Mira Sorvino. Both of which are good for me.

[MJ4H]

I understand that people are interested in this sort of thing, but I personally don't care about personality at all. Melinda could infect teenagers with aids and eat their little sisters and it wouldn't change how she sings. That's all I care about. I mention it if someone is hot, but I try not to let that factor.

Last season I didn't care what on earth Pickler thought about calamari. She couldn't sing in tune.

[cuervo72]

Mira Sorvino? No way do I see Mira Sorvino.

[Solecismic]

Research psychologists say you can't fake a smile. It's too complex a mechanism. Melinda seems genuine in her reactions, and that's an important part of her on-stage personna.

I don't think she's particularly shy, that's just an interpretation of her behavior that's convenient for the mass audience (much like an idiot sportswriter calling his favorite star player "clutch"). She is, however, a polished professional singer in an amateur competition. She stands out for that reason, and her pleasant personality helps fuel the votes. I think she'll win in the end.

Stephanie is more the true, raw amateur. There's a lot of talent there, but she simply has not learned how to sing. If she finds a good mentor, I think she'll end up a success. If not, she's doomed to a life of second-rate night clubs.

Sanjaya is a mess. I liked him last night because he took on a band I've considered among the most overrated group of hacks ever to take the stage and did a credible parody. Most of the time I don't like him. Obviously, my score was based on personal biases. He has good pitch but usually doesn't sing well. Yet every once in a while he surprises me - just as he surprised the judges with a good Stevie Wonder in auditions. I don't want him to win, or even come close to winning. But I'm glad he's out there. He, too, is not remotely shy.

Katharine McPhee was an interesting case. Kind of a reluctant participant. She has loads of talent and a beautiful voice, but I get the impression that she does not enjoy performing and particularly hates attention from fans. I understand that. I'm very uncomfortable with praise myself. I really identified with her last season and feel bad when I read the endless criticism she generates.

[Ksyrup]

Originally Posted by Solecismic

Sanjaya is a mess. I liked him last night because he took on a band I've considered among the most overrated group of hacks ever to take the stage and did a credible parody. Most of the time I don't like him.

I hope to fuck you are referring to Van Halen and not the greatness that is the Kinks.

[Ksyrup]

My comment about McPhee is based on some of the backstage stuff that came out about her. But you can tell that she is a, um, demanding kind of girl.

[wade moore]

Just to be clear - I don't think Melinda is faking, but I know that thought is out there a lot.

[wade moore]

BTW - has anyone looked at DialIdol? There's one element that totally baffles me.

Of course, last week it was off on Sanjaya - I wonder how accurate it is this week, particularly with one specific contestant.

[Solecismic]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

I hope to fuck you...

Yeah, not gonna happen.

[Ksyrup]

Originally Posted by Solecismic

Yeah, not gonna happen.

LOL! Yeah, as much as I respect the Kinks, there's going to be no Lola action going on here...

[Logan]

Originally Posted by wade moore

BTW - has anyone looked at DialIdol? There's one element that totally baffles me.

Of course, last week it was off on Sanjaya - I wonder how accurate it is this week, particularly with one specific contestant.

Hey, we can use spoiler tags to discuss DialIdol numbers!

Spoiler

I don't think Phil Stacey is anywhere near as "safe" as they're predicting.

[wade moore]

Originally Posted by Logan

Hey, we can use spoiler tags to discuss DialIdol numbers!

Spoiler

I don't think Phil Stacey is anywhere near as "safe" as they're predicting.

Sweet, didn't even think of that!

Spoiler

Phil Stacey is exactly the one that caught my eye. I'm somewhat surprised that Jordin is in danger, but not competely. But Phil Stacey to be safe is insane to me - he is actually in my top two most likely to go with Stephanie

[Ksyrup]

This is going to turn into the "subliminal message" board.

[TexasT]

Any links to Haley's peformance? Got in late and she had already been on.

[MJ4H]

Here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smWQRXG7sHg

Edited to give a better quality version.

[Bisbo]

Here's another shocking development this season: Lulu at 80 is hotter than Pickler at whatever age she was when she appeared on the show a few weeks ago.

[Swaggs]

Originally Posted by MattJones4Heisman

Here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smWQRXG7sHg

Edited to give a better quality version.

Hopefully she continues to go bra-less for the rest of the season!

[Toddzilla]

That made my pants fit funny...

[adubroff]

Originally Posted by wade moore

This is a SERIOUS problem for me.. to the point that I get pretty mad that no one calls them out for it - let alone prevent it in the first place. I think you need to stick to the spirit of the theme, rather than skirting around it.

On paper this sounds good but how do you enforce it? How do you handle people who pick a song in a certain genre and change the song drastically so that it's a whole different genre (i.e. Blake last night)?

[Ksyrup]

I don't think that's the problem. That song Blake did was in the theme - I have no problem with him changing it up a bit (although I don't think he did anything but modernize it, it was still the same song). The songs Melinda and Lakisha picked were really not within what would be classified as British Invasion by any stretch. I think you enforce it on a case-by-case basis. For someone to suggest a Broadway song from Oliver is in the same genre as music spawned by the Beatles' takeover of America in 1964 is ridiculous.

[Ksyrup]

Get it while it's hot!

[Lathum]

I think I just threw up in my mouth

[MJ4H]

there went my lunch

[wade moore]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

I don't think that's the problem. That song Blake did was in the theme - I have no problem with him changing it up a bit (although I don't think he did anything but modernize it, it was still the same song). The songs Melinda and Lakisha picked were really not within what would be classified as British Invasion by any stretch. I think you enforce it on a case-by-case basis. For someone to suggest a Broadway song from Oliver is in the same genre as music spawned by the Beatles' takeover of America in 1964 is ridiculous.

You explained it better than I could. My issue is less with the final product (although it is a factor) so much as the song selected in the first place. It's not that LaKisha/Melinda didn't sound like British Invasion so much as the original versions of the song were not truely "British Invasion" so much as Broadway songs by British Artists.

[lordscarlet]

Originally Posted by adubroff

On paper this sounds good but how do you enforce it? How do you handle people who pick a song in a certain genre and change the song drastically so that it's a whole different genre (i.e. Blake last night)?

You do what they did to Blake and Chris Sligh last week. As a judge you say, "That sounded good, but I'm not really sure what it has to do with the 'British Invasion' theme."

[Logan]

Originally Posted by wade moore

You explained it better than I could. My issue is less with the final product (although it is a factor) so much as the song selected in the first place. It's not that LaKisha/Melinda didn't sound like British Invasion so much as the original versions of the song were not truely "British Invasion" so much as Broadway songs by British Artists.

It also isn't fair, overall. Last week's theme being Diana Ross automatically puts the guys at a disadvantage, and gives a clear advantage to the "diva" singers. Allowing some people to go on a tangent with what is considered a "British Invasion" song isn't fair to the people who now are more in their element.

Basically, either make it easy for everyone to find something for them (I believe someone suggested last week's theme should have been "Motown," which would have made sense), or be tough on what songs may be performed. I think the former makes more sense...would I ever want to hear Gina sing during "Show Tunes" week? No, but would I listen to her sing based on a theme of "Songs that may be performed in concert halls/theaters in New York City?" Well, not really, because I hate her...but you get my point .

[Ksyrup]

Originally Posted by lordscarlet

You do what they did to Blake and Chris Sligh last week. As a judge you say, "That sounded good, but I'm not really sure what it has to do with the 'British Invasion' theme."

I don't think it should even get that far. They shouldn't approve the song choices to begin with. I didn't see last week, so I can't comment on how Blake/Chris S. were treated compared to Melinda/Lakisha this week.

Heck, just go to allmusic.com and use their genre definition and list of bands, and if someone wants to deviate, deal with it on a song-by-song basis. But if you want a British Invasion theme, stick to it. British Invasion has a specific meaning beyond "song written by a British person during the 60s."

[Logan]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

I don't think it should even get that far. They shouldn't approve the song choices to begin with.

Agreed. They can go on to bash the song choice all they want, but if they're not doing it for a reason like "that choice wasn't good for your talent" and it still sounded good to everyone, they're not gonna be penalized when it comes to the voting.

[adubroff]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

I don't think it should even get that far. They shouldn't approve the song choices to begin with.

I'd be ok with that. I wonder if they ever reject songs. They must need to clear that they have the rights to the song and such, so the should check for theme too, take it out of the contestants hands.