Tonight's results were a bit shocking for me! I don't know, I guess I missed the ball on this one, or I was sidetracked by the fact that Kara raided Paula's jewelry collection tonight. I had NO idea that adorable and talented Janell Wheeler was even in danger of going home, but she did. Did anyone else think her outgoing performance was waaaaay better than Tuesday night? It was far too early for her to depart, I can't even say much more than that. I almost wonder if her 11 on the Gorgeous Scale of 1 to 10 worked against her...but thankfully, she handled the ouster with great grace and class. Shout out to you, Janell!
Likewise, I was (almost) completely blindsided by Ashley's departure. I say almost because I read some other reviews today that drew media attention to her disappointing performance. BUT, I was totally unprepared to say goodbye tonight to her....an early pick of mine. Again, Ashley, like Janell, is an 11 on the Gorgeous scale and showed her true class by exiting the Idol stage with nothing but thankfulness and grace. Best of luck Ashley!
Allison Ireheta was a Season 8 favorite of mine and I was thrilled to see her take the stage tonight. Looking much the same as she did as a contestant with her flaming red hair and edgy clothes (did that dress really have a tail?) Allison delivered the kind of powerful and raw vocals we came to love from her. She is still so very young.....and couldn't really carry on a coherent conversation with Ryan, though! I wish her the best.
For the guys, although I predicted it, I regret doing so. Joe Munoz actually got great critical reviews today and was highly regarded as one of the better singers last night....so it was a cruel fate that he went home tonight. Again, if he had a back story about immigration, poverty, some sort of personal or family hardship....we would have voted for him, but producers left him out. Alas, just a good voice won't take you the distance in American Idol, at least not without a fight.
What I didn't predict was That 70s Guy leaving us so soon! Wow! Tyler Grady was a unique contender who I thought had at least enough of a shtick to keep him around a couple more weeks, but I guess not. I have to say, he was so class-less in his exit interview I found myself glad that he left. Yes, personality counts in this competition!
Then we come to Kris Allen. I admit that I wasn't a huge fan last year, wasn't a huge fan of anyone in Season 8. But I really, really connected with Kris on his Beatles cover "Let it Be"....I thought it was totally haunting and beautiful. I knew he had gone to Haiti and of course there were beautiful children in the video, and heartbreaking sadness.....so it accomplished what it set out to do: it reminded me of the humanity and loss in this tiny nation and that one person can make a difference. Very much like Carrie's African footage which is not a surprise, since Idol Gives Back has been enormously successful. And I believed Kris, and connected with his personal experience there. And can I just admit that I am so glad it wasn't Adam up there singing about Haiti! Can you imagine how different this whole piece would have been had HE won American Idol??! Yikes...
Now we have a Top 20 and it won't get any easier for those remaining....can't wait to see how the Top 10 ladies take this week's critiques into consideration and change it up....as well as the guys.
What did you think? Were you surprised with the results? Did you like Allison and/or Kris's performance? And do you think Adam would have done a better job visiting Haiti and getting us to send money??
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Gals and Guys Bring it On....Sort of
I was excited for a bloated Idol week.....5 hours! And really looking for to the first "Live!" week of full-length performances by our Season Nine Top 24. For both nights I have to say I like Ellen....spot-on critique, even when she goes first, AND she still manages to say something positive about everyone, but not in a gratuitous way....liking her. All around, judges are giving better feedback....even Randy the Dawg has been relatively coherent this week. Simon has been largely critical of everyone, reserving praise for a very select few performers. Does he know that someone has to win this thing?!As is customary, Ladies First.....and as many others have wondered, what the heck happened?! We've heard many times thus far this season how it is definitely a ladies' year...but as lady after lady took the stage, I was having my doubts. Listen, we saw LOTS of estrogen-riddled talent in auditions and Hollywood, and I know there are nerves and such at play at this point, but I was sure we would see the winner.
We saw authentic, we saw quirky....we saw honest and even saw "one funny little thing"....but where was the star power? I know it's early, and maybe my expectations are too high, but I wanted to see even just a glimpse of a shimmering, shiny star....and in my opinion, I saw that in only one contestant last night: Haeley Vaughn. I know from reading other reviews and talking around that I'm quite in the minority on this one, but for me, she was the most compelling, the most infectious and the most, well, delightful last night. I liked how she injected her own rhythms and vocals to a very well-known song. Hey, it wasn't a full blown David Cook, and her vocals weren't always spot-on, but for the first week out, for her over all others, I found myself grinning and hitting the rewind button.
The only other noteworthy -- strong word -- gal for me last night was Katelyn Epperly, and I think that's mostly because I didn't expect it, and she sang an upbeat song in a sea of otherwise dreary choices. But that said, I found her performance a little manic, and thought that she was trying too hard.
The rest of the others all fell together for me in a bland, slow, and frankly pretty boring melting pot. I was pretty disappointed with Ashley Rodriguez, Janell Wheeler, Lacey Brown, Didi Benami and yes, even SEVENTEEN YEAR OLD Katie Stevens. Ladies are all talented, but despite reasons I can only (maybe?) blame on inexperience and perhaps Idol coaching, chose songs that just didn't do them well and then left something to be desired with their singing. Ashley was quite flat, Janell's nerves were apparent, Lacey didn't bring it, Didi reminded me of Megan Joy in a bad way, and Katie was just all pageant for me as Simon suggested. Siobahn Magnus has a solid voice but again, chose such a boring and downer of a song, I didn't really care as I drifted off to sleep.
Our two resident "quirks", Lilly Scott and Crystal Bowersox, stuck out mostly because they just don't look and sing like everyone else, which is A Good Thing, but in the end, you've got to fit a certain mold on this show. Choosing an obscure Beatles song or covering an equally quirky and amazingly well-known Alanis Morrisette tune when you have a bazillion others to choose from, and you may misstep and worse yet, alienate voters. And I have to agree with Simon about the subway comment given to Crystal....plus the fact that her video beforehand where she admitted to never watching American Idol and just wanting to get a 'bigger paycheck' to help her son didn't win me over at ALL, however honest it may have been.
That said, the two ladies most in danger of leaving this week are Paige Miles and Michelle Delamor, and honestly it's mostly because of their lack of footage thus far in the show (but their mostly karaoke performances didn't do them any good). (Lovely and talented but karaoke). We have no connection with them, so it's easier to let them go over any of the other ladies with whom we have at least developed a rooting section for. I could also see Lacey and/or Siobahn in danger, since we also don't really know them as well as the others.
On to the men....strangely it was much a similar story tonight. Where was the Wow factor? There was only one stand-out guy for me, and that was Lee Dewyze. Again, I disagreed with the judges....(well, Simon strangely agreed with me). I called him a dark horse after he made the Top 24 and I think he still is....I am bothered by his flat affect and wonder if he can hang in there emotionally, but tonight he stood out. He was fresh and current and raw and real. I liked, too, how he was humble and said he was really enjoying the experience and wanted it really badly (take notes, Crystal Bowersox!)
Getting by tonight on personality and/or looks are Aaron Kelly (does he remind anyone else of Kevin Covais?), Tim Urban (who? but cute...), Tyler Grady That 70's Dude (ugh tonight), John Park (dreadful song but hope he stays another week!), Micheal Lynche (what a big guy), Casey James (better than I expected, but did anyone else think of Bucky Covington?! or in a non-performance way, Corey Clark.....Kara, watch out!) and Andrew Garcia, yes, getting by on his past performances and it was okay tonite but not great...still loving on him though!
Which leaves a healthy Bottom 4 with the guys for me tonight. In order of appearance, Toddrick Hall led the show with what was an attempt at originality in revamping the Uber Idol Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone" which I actually kind of liked, but his vocals were too distracting, and the judges hated it. First place slot doesn't help. Jermaine Sellers totally oversang "Get Here" and I just wanted to hear Justin Guarini's version again instead. I didn't even have anything to recall about Joe Munoz because producers left him out of the story....I was actually online checking my bank account during his song, I was so bored. Finally, Alex Lambert -- sorry for he of famous American Idol Last Name -- reminded me so much of Matt Giraud, which isn't a bad thing since MG went to top what, 6? last year....BUT....I wasn't a fan, and since Season 9's resident Mr. Lambert got no pre-finals screen time, it will be a tough row to hoe for him.
I will link my hometown paper here for more info on Chicago's own three contestants: John Park, Lee Dewyze, and Jermaine Sellars.
So, there you have it......24 soon to be 20. Who will it be? Furthermore, do you like Ellen on the judges panel? Has Kara gotten less annoying? And does Simon seem crankier than ever?
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Talent A Plenty in Season 9 Top 24
Thankfully just a one-hour show tonight revealing this season's Top 12 guys and gals, following a painfully bloated 2-hour show last night. I read that they revealed some of the top 24 last night because of all of the leaks that have gone down this season....technology is a help and a hindrance, no? Cell phones and iPhones and camera phones, texts, tweets, Facebook....hard to keep much a secret these days.
I have a few categories I silently placed tonight's contestants in as they were announced, and in no particular order:
In, And We Knew It: Ashley Rodriquez and Katie Stevens. There was never any question, despite the lack of any significant footage from Hollywood week. We got more film and backstory from Lilly Scott, Crystal Bowersox and Janell Wheeler, but we still knew they were finalists. And despite all of the manufactured "chairs" DRAMA that Fox is so good at, we knew Alex Garcia and Haley Vaughn were shoe-ins for the Top 24. Talent is talent, what can you say!
In, Even Though We Don't Really Know Them: And I could be wrong, but the only time we saw John Park, the noteworthy smooth-as-silk Asian crooner was at his first audition....and nada since. I actually had trouble recalling Tim Urban at all. I knew who he was from his audition, but we saw very little of Tyler Grady in Hollywood. I have no memory of Joe Munez, or the obviously talented Siobahn something or other. But I have to admit I have no recollection whatsoever (even audition footage) of lovely ladies Paige Miles and Michelle Delamor, or of Adam (I mean Alex, sorry) Lambert. Hmm. That isn't a good sign for any of them....
In But We Weren't Entirely Sure: Casey James. I actually think he has a nice voice and he was a bit short-changed with the whole shirt-removal fiasco. Can he deliver? Micheal Lynch is a nice guy, but didn't know which contestant would fill that Micheal-Sarver-adequate-singer-and-nice-guy slot, there were several to choose from this season. Aaron Kelly, the 16yo kid with the Backstreet Boys hairdo made a great impression, but there had to be some kind of quota with the younger set for California child labor laws or something, and he forgot the lyrics like, every time, so wasn't sure he would get through. Jermaine Sellers (Which Jermaine was he?). Tough break for Lacey Brown last year to go up against Megan Joy, but hey -- if you have to go against someone, at least they do well, right? And this might be her year.
Two ladies had particularly tough roads in Hollywood, IMO. Didi Benami, the emotional waitress who lost a friend in college, wasn't a shoe-in to me. Her emotional instability made her seem a bit too vulnerable for the rigors of American Idol (and the producers agreed with me, playing that up before ultimately granting her a rightful spot in the Top 24, girl is painfully talented). I'm not sure I can say the same for curly-topped Katelyn Epperly....she is cute and can sing fine but I'm not sure she can go the distance.
One guy to watch is Lee Dewyze....I still think it's a girl's year, but with that in mind, he is just the kind of sleeper contestant that winner Kris Allen was last year. I like him and can't wait to hear more of him.
In and Out: This category is reserved for contestants who are viewed as what we call 'cannon fodder', meaning they are added to the top 24 for reasons other than talent (demographics, or viewership preferences, perhaps) but are not expected to be true competitors for the title. In this pool I would put Toddrick Hall (annoying), Katelyn Epperly, Alex Lambert since I have no recollection of him whatsoever, Joe Munez, Lacey Brown, and Micheal Lynch.
Out And We are Sad: Okay, how can it be that Angela Martin is talented enough to make it to Hollywood three times in a row and yet not advance this year? She is a very talented gal with lots of spunk and class. I felt her disappointment and I wish her the best. The same to Thaddeus Johnson (but mostly his Mom). I thought he had a great voice, wonderful spirit and vibe.....but the talent pool is so deep this season, tough break. Come back!
Out, And it's Sad, But We Kinda Figured: Some notes leaking over from last night, but I'm still sad for Hope Johnson. I loved her audition and was kind of afraid Hollywood would eat her up. Group rounds were tough for her, and in the end she just couldn't measure up. Best to you!
Bring on the Top 12 ladies!
I have a few categories I silently placed tonight's contestants in as they were announced, and in no particular order:
In, And We Knew It: Ashley Rodriquez and Katie Stevens. There was never any question, despite the lack of any significant footage from Hollywood week. We got more film and backstory from Lilly Scott, Crystal Bowersox and Janell Wheeler, but we still knew they were finalists. And despite all of the manufactured "chairs" DRAMA that Fox is so good at, we knew Alex Garcia and Haley Vaughn were shoe-ins for the Top 24. Talent is talent, what can you say!
In, Even Though We Don't Really Know Them: And I could be wrong, but the only time we saw John Park, the noteworthy smooth-as-silk Asian crooner was at his first audition....and nada since. I actually had trouble recalling Tim Urban at all. I knew who he was from his audition, but we saw very little of Tyler Grady in Hollywood. I have no memory of Joe Munez, or the obviously talented Siobahn something or other. But I have to admit I have no recollection whatsoever (even audition footage) of lovely ladies Paige Miles and Michelle Delamor, or of Adam (I mean Alex, sorry) Lambert. Hmm. That isn't a good sign for any of them....
In But We Weren't Entirely Sure: Casey James. I actually think he has a nice voice and he was a bit short-changed with the whole shirt-removal fiasco. Can he deliver? Micheal Lynch is a nice guy, but didn't know which contestant would fill that Micheal-Sarver-adequate-singer-and-nice-guy slot, there were several to choose from this season. Aaron Kelly, the 16yo kid with the Backstreet Boys hairdo made a great impression, but there had to be some kind of quota with the younger set for California child labor laws or something, and he forgot the lyrics like, every time, so wasn't sure he would get through. Jermaine Sellers (Which Jermaine was he?). Tough break for Lacey Brown last year to go up against Megan Joy, but hey -- if you have to go against someone, at least they do well, right? And this might be her year.
Two ladies had particularly tough roads in Hollywood, IMO. Didi Benami, the emotional waitress who lost a friend in college, wasn't a shoe-in to me. Her emotional instability made her seem a bit too vulnerable for the rigors of American Idol (and the producers agreed with me, playing that up before ultimately granting her a rightful spot in the Top 24, girl is painfully talented). I'm not sure I can say the same for curly-topped Katelyn Epperly....she is cute and can sing fine but I'm not sure she can go the distance.
One guy to watch is Lee Dewyze....I still think it's a girl's year, but with that in mind, he is just the kind of sleeper contestant that winner Kris Allen was last year. I like him and can't wait to hear more of him.
In and Out: This category is reserved for contestants who are viewed as what we call 'cannon fodder', meaning they are added to the top 24 for reasons other than talent (demographics, or viewership preferences, perhaps) but are not expected to be true competitors for the title. In this pool I would put Toddrick Hall (annoying), Katelyn Epperly, Alex Lambert since I have no recollection of him whatsoever, Joe Munez, Lacey Brown, and Micheal Lynch.
Out And We are Sad: Okay, how can it be that Angela Martin is talented enough to make it to Hollywood three times in a row and yet not advance this year? She is a very talented gal with lots of spunk and class. I felt her disappointment and I wish her the best. The same to Thaddeus Johnson (but mostly his Mom). I thought he had a great voice, wonderful spirit and vibe.....but the talent pool is so deep this season, tough break. Come back!
Out, And it's Sad, But We Kinda Figured: Some notes leaking over from last night, but I'm still sad for Hope Johnson. I loved her audition and was kind of afraid Hollywood would eat her up. Group rounds were tough for her, and in the end she just couldn't measure up. Best to you!
Bring on the Top 12 ladies!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Shock and Awe in Hollywood, Round One
Ellen officially joined the Idol judges table tonight in what turned out to be an array of amazing talent mixed in with a dollop of disappointment and a smidge of shock. Ellen provided comedic relief, as we'd expected, but also displayed a kindness that Paula would have, but still stuck to her guns when telling contestants that they didn't have the stuff. No drama with Simon (yet) although the press sure wants this to happen.
The field of hopefuls was cut in half tonight as the number went from 180-something to 90-something, as I understood things. Out of those 90 who made it through (to the next Hollywood round), we got to "see" way less than half....which means there still may be lots of Kris Allens in the bunch. And as we saw tonight, kids, better keep taking those guitar lessons because it looks like they come in handy when auditioning for American Idol (and the keyboard, not so much).
I must acknowledge a few of my early favorites who did NOT make the cut tonight. Maddie Curtis has a sweet voice and I just know there is an amazing songstress in there, with the heart to go along with it, but alas, her song choice just didn't showcase. Love to Maddie and her family, and Mom is right....you're only 16! Come back.....
How can you not root for Vanessa Wolf, who clearly had a Fox camera person shadow her the day she took her first arrow plane flight from rural Tennessee to Hollywood (awkward)? Her voice didn't make the trip as well as she did, and American Idol isn't her thing, dawg....but gosh it was nice to meet her and I wish her the very best! And Justin THE CANCER SURVIVOR....sounded much better in White Chocolate. Wish you the best, bro.
Also, in the film we saw that Jason Castro's brother Micheal made the cut, as well as my early fav Ashley Rodriquez, but we did not hear them sing tonight. (small yay! Not about the not singing, but about the making it).
Now....there were some seriously gifted performers tonight. I don't even know where to start. First off, Katie Stevens....an early fav of mine....did not disappoint. I think she has a Kelly Clarkson vibe....lots of power and clarity in her voice but lots of control to go along with it. Watch this girl!
Everyone else, basically, played the guitar and sang. I have my favorites. First and biggest Idolmama shout out goes to Andrew Garcia for his veeeerrry David Cook-esque (NOT Adam Lambert-esque as Kara suggested) stripped acoustic version of Paula Abdul's "Straight Up".....utterly brilliant. He could record that TODAY and sell records, singles....I mean downloads. It was really, really good ....heck, I'd download it right now if it was available! Only problem is, could be the editing for tomorrow night's footage, but it sure looked like Andrew gets dumped.....something about him begging.....please let it not be true?!
Beyond these two, there were a slew of very talented singer/guitar players, among them Janell Wheeler, Haeley Vaughn, Micheal Lynch and Casey James. Which of these, if any, do I see in the top 24? It's hard to say....Janell is good but somewhat generic. Haley has a pocket no one else fills, although she is young...big guy Micheal has a charm and smoothness about him, but will it endure? And Casey fits in the country/blues pocket, but what about versatility? (for homework on this, see Covington, Bucky). (But then go and see Bice, Bo). Hmmm.....
I am not a fan of "Rocker Mom" and to prove it, I don't even know her name. I wish her no ill will, but I just don't see an AI future for her. I think she squeaks in under the Allison Iraheta banner but doesn't have what it takes. And I was most disappointed, speaking of rocker moms, that one of my early favs, Danelle Hayes, got her Golden ticket at the Denver auditions but never made it to Hollywood. How, you ask, is this possible? Read here for the story. Apparently, there are many reasons...one of which is failing to pass a criminal background check, for example....:(( Danelle, talk to me!!!
Finally, there were some downright talented ladies tonight who are incredibly gifted, and it seeps through their very pores...but I'm not sure they are AI material. Lilly Scott, Didi Benami and Crystal Bowersox are very talented ladies, but can this talent survive the Idol experience? Lilly's song was beautiful, but not really pop material. Didi clearly brown-nosed with her Kara-penned song, and well, Crystal does have those piercings and tattoos (not that there is anything WRONG with that, I'm just pointing it out! America is still kind of squeamish).
Bottom line: no dearth of talent this season. In fact, I predict a cat fight to the finish! And it looks like tomorrow's group rounds show us that no matter how talented you may be as a solo artist, if you "don't play well with others", you may have a rough road ahead.
The field of hopefuls was cut in half tonight as the number went from 180-something to 90-something, as I understood things. Out of those 90 who made it through (to the next Hollywood round), we got to "see" way less than half....which means there still may be lots of Kris Allens in the bunch. And as we saw tonight, kids, better keep taking those guitar lessons because it looks like they come in handy when auditioning for American Idol (and the keyboard, not so much).
I must acknowledge a few of my early favorites who did NOT make the cut tonight. Maddie Curtis has a sweet voice and I just know there is an amazing songstress in there, with the heart to go along with it, but alas, her song choice just didn't showcase. Love to Maddie and her family, and Mom is right....you're only 16! Come back.....
How can you not root for Vanessa Wolf, who clearly had a Fox camera person shadow her the day she took her first arrow plane flight from rural Tennessee to Hollywood (awkward)? Her voice didn't make the trip as well as she did, and American Idol isn't her thing, dawg....but gosh it was nice to meet her and I wish her the very best! And Justin THE CANCER SURVIVOR....sounded much better in White Chocolate. Wish you the best, bro.
Also, in the film we saw that Jason Castro's brother Micheal made the cut, as well as my early fav Ashley Rodriquez, but we did not hear them sing tonight. (small yay! Not about the not singing, but about the making it).
Now....there were some seriously gifted performers tonight. I don't even know where to start. First off, Katie Stevens....an early fav of mine....did not disappoint. I think she has a Kelly Clarkson vibe....lots of power and clarity in her voice but lots of control to go along with it. Watch this girl!
Everyone else, basically, played the guitar and sang. I have my favorites. First and biggest Idolmama shout out goes to Andrew Garcia for his veeeerrry David Cook-esque (NOT Adam Lambert-esque as Kara suggested) stripped acoustic version of Paula Abdul's "Straight Up".....utterly brilliant. He could record that TODAY and sell records, singles....I mean downloads. It was really, really good ....heck, I'd download it right now if it was available! Only problem is, could be the editing for tomorrow night's footage, but it sure looked like Andrew gets dumped.....something about him begging.....please let it not be true?!
Beyond these two, there were a slew of very talented singer/guitar players, among them Janell Wheeler, Haeley Vaughn, Micheal Lynch and Casey James. Which of these, if any, do I see in the top 24? It's hard to say....Janell is good but somewhat generic. Haley has a pocket no one else fills, although she is young...big guy Micheal has a charm and smoothness about him, but will it endure? And Casey fits in the country/blues pocket, but what about versatility? (for homework on this, see Covington, Bucky). (But then go and see Bice, Bo). Hmmm.....
I am not a fan of "Rocker Mom" and to prove it, I don't even know her name. I wish her no ill will, but I just don't see an AI future for her. I think she squeaks in under the Allison Iraheta banner but doesn't have what it takes. And I was most disappointed, speaking of rocker moms, that one of my early favs, Danelle Hayes, got her Golden ticket at the Denver auditions but never made it to Hollywood. How, you ask, is this possible? Read here for the story. Apparently, there are many reasons...one of which is failing to pass a criminal background check, for example....:(( Danelle, talk to me!!!
Finally, there were some downright talented ladies tonight who are incredibly gifted, and it seeps through their very pores...but I'm not sure they are AI material. Lilly Scott, Didi Benami and Crystal Bowersox are very talented ladies, but can this talent survive the Idol experience? Lilly's song was beautiful, but not really pop material. Didi clearly brown-nosed with her Kara-penned song, and well, Crystal does have those piercings and tattoos (not that there is anything WRONG with that, I'm just pointing it out! America is still kind of squeamish).
Bottom line: no dearth of talent this season. In fact, I predict a cat fight to the finish! And it looks like tomorrow's group rounds show us that no matter how talented you may be as a solo artist, if you "don't play well with others", you may have a rough road ahead.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
The Giant Filler Show: Best of the Rest
I really do like the audition episodes, and mostly because I enjoy watching and waiting for that moment when we first meet the potential eventual winner....and the other finalists we fall in love with over the course of the season. Remember Carrie Underwood's audition (third nipple, anyone?) Here are the stories of all eight Idol winner's auditions, for your reading pleasure! Good Stuff!
And I am certain we've met our eventual Season 9 winner, but I can't even begin to tell you who that might be! Other than it being a girl I think...but I am ready for Hollywood week!
Tonight was a virtual high and low of auditions over the season, but it was stacked in favor of talent....they wanted to squeeze in notables before next week. Clearly they had reserved some pretty great talent for tonight's show across all 7 audition cities. I jotted down the names of 12 people I thought were great....and that wasn't every one....so it was a talent-heavy episode. In total, 181 hopefuls got tickets to Hollywood and from that we will get our Top 50 and then our Top 24. Even my 7th grader could calculate the odds on someone making it....not that great! Tough road ahead. I can already feel hopes being dashed....
But that is for next week! For tonight, I picked my top 3, in order of their appearance. I really liked Lee Dewyze who crooned "Ain't No Sunshine" like nobody's business. Maybe it's because he auditioned in Chicago, or maybe it's that Kris Allen vibe but I liked him. I also really dug father-to-be Micheal Lynche, the personal trainer with the Big Guns. Smooth, smokey voice that surprised me. And no, it was his voice and not his muscles that got my attention!
Finally, I really am crossing my fingers for Hope Johnson, who appeared at the end of tonight's show (which bodes well for her prospects, me thinks). Yes, speaking of back story, the producers totally exploited her poverty-stricken upbringing, even having her recount how she had to bring lunch items home from school to feed her hungry little brother at dinner. But as a professional who studies poverty and hunger, this was a tangible example of how many families do struggle. You don't read about them in the paper and you don't know them at school. It's easy to forget this in our country full of obesity and self indulgence of every kind. I thought she was talented and beautiful and humble and I hope we see more of her.
(BTW, there were a slew of 16-year-olds tonight, many of whom were just downright good. Rachael Hubbard, Thaddeus, Genesis and Aaron were all worthy of their golden tickets. I hesitate to crown any of them the David Archuleta of S9 but we'll have to see!)
Let the Hollywood games begin!
And I am certain we've met our eventual Season 9 winner, but I can't even begin to tell you who that might be! Other than it being a girl I think...but I am ready for Hollywood week!
Tonight was a virtual high and low of auditions over the season, but it was stacked in favor of talent....they wanted to squeeze in notables before next week. Clearly they had reserved some pretty great talent for tonight's show across all 7 audition cities. I jotted down the names of 12 people I thought were great....and that wasn't every one....so it was a talent-heavy episode. In total, 181 hopefuls got tickets to Hollywood and from that we will get our Top 50 and then our Top 24. Even my 7th grader could calculate the odds on someone making it....not that great! Tough road ahead. I can already feel hopes being dashed....
But that is for next week! For tonight, I picked my top 3, in order of their appearance. I really liked Lee Dewyze who crooned "Ain't No Sunshine" like nobody's business. Maybe it's because he auditioned in Chicago, or maybe it's that Kris Allen vibe but I liked him. I also really dug father-to-be Micheal Lynche, the personal trainer with the Big Guns. Smooth, smokey voice that surprised me. And no, it was his voice and not his muscles that got my attention!
Finally, I really am crossing my fingers for Hope Johnson, who appeared at the end of tonight's show (which bodes well for her prospects, me thinks). Yes, speaking of back story, the producers totally exploited her poverty-stricken upbringing, even having her recount how she had to bring lunch items home from school to feed her hungry little brother at dinner. But as a professional who studies poverty and hunger, this was a tangible example of how many families do struggle. You don't read about them in the paper and you don't know them at school. It's easy to forget this in our country full of obesity and self indulgence of every kind. I thought she was talented and beautiful and humble and I hope we see more of her.
(BTW, there were a slew of 16-year-olds tonight, many of whom were just downright good. Rachael Hubbard, Thaddeus, Genesis and Aaron were all worthy of their golden tickets. I hesitate to crown any of them the David Archuleta of S9 but we'll have to see!)
Let the Hollywood games begin!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
The Almighty Back Story....oh, and Denver
Okay, before discussion of tonight's Denver auditions, I promised my thoughts on the back story. Per dictionary dot com, the back story is defined as " A narrative providing a history or background context, esp. for a character or situation in a literary work, film or dramatic series."
So American Idol provides a "history or background context" on some of it's contestants....and we certainly know Idol is a dramatic series....so...I'm going to try and get through this kinda quickly.
There are certain types of Idol back stories we are all familiar with.....first, and perhaps most compelling, are the personal health stories....like that of current Season 9 contestant Justin Williams for example. Interesting how the powers that be chose to highlight Justin's battle with cancer instead of his Hollywood Week stint last season and as a part of White Chocolate with Matt Giraud and Kris Allen. We've seen a wide array of other afflictions just this season including Tourettes Syndrome (Dave Pittman), asthma (Paige Dechausse), and facial paralysis (Shelby Dressel)....but let's remember the darling Elliot Yamin (diabetes) and Scott McIntyre (the first blind American Idol finalist).
Then we have the contestants with the dangerous or mundane occupations, like this season's dock worker Lloyd Thomas ("He, like, works on a dock!" says Kara, she's so smart), or the better known oil rigger finalist Micheal Sarver from Season 8. Or the contestants with what we'll call "family circumstances", like homeless singer Josiah Leming or the child of divorce this season, Maegan Wright (not sure about how dramatic that is, she's got good company, including yours truly). How about Angela Martin with her special needs child, Andrew Garcia who is trying to escape the gangs of his past, or curly-topped former foster kid Chris Golightly. And who could forgot the famous "country bumpkin" back story angle -- this season that spot is aptly filled by rural Tennessee bridge jumper Vanessa Wolfe, but we have watched Kelly "Calamari" Pickler and of course, the gal who put the country bumpkin-est place on Earth, Checotah, Oklahoma on the map, Carrie Underwood. (Incidentally, if you recall, none of these three ladies had ever been on an 'arrow-plane' before Idol!)
Personally, I enjoyed getting to know all of these contestants and my bottom line is that I didn't feel at all exploited, or manipulated as a viewer in hearing them. In all of these cases, I have enjoyed their stories. I think it connects me to them, and I have really enjoyed meeting these contestants in more depth, in many cases meeting family members.....seeing country in many respects, and counting my blessings along the way. And let's face it: we ALL have a back story of one sort or another....I must be the very viewer Fox is targeting.
HOWEVER, the main criticism of the back story is that those contestants with a little bit of talent AND something miraculous, funny, tragic or heartwarming are perhaps trotted out and featured at the expense of those contestants who are great singers, but lack anything dramatic....just regular folk....of whom I am afraid are many. How many talented, bright and potential Idol-worthy singers with nothing distinguishable in their present or past have been allowed to slip through the cracks of the producers? That is the crime in the back story, if there is one.....would love your comments!
On to Denver, the Mile High City, but was it of mile-long talent? Turns out, it was! A whopping 23 contestants made it through to Hollywood, and it was one of my favorite audition cities of this season. We only got to see a fraction of the golden ticket holders, so I'm thinking there are some surprises in store tomorrow night, or in Hollywood.
It's the year of the ladies, and I had two favorite ladies tonight. I just liked Danelle Hayes, who according to Simon needed "rescuing from corporate hell." Idol has often been criticized for "discovering" talent who have already been discovered, and in that vein Danelle was a breath of fresh air. Entering the audition room already in tears, she told of how she has been singing in a cover band and has seen her share of bars, casinos and corporate events. I agreed with Kara, who loved how Danelle wore her heart on her sleeve (despite auditioning in a tank top!). I might stand corrected if this gal has herself all over the Internet and a record deal to boot, but tonight she appeared as the real deal...someone talented looking for a break.
I also really liked preemie Haeley Vaugn who just might break into that Black Pop Country Mainstream music genre she strives to. Infectious smile, nice voice, possibly a new niche! Look at Darius Rucker's great success.....hope she cracks the Top 24 next week!
Best audition song I don't think I've ever heard: "Tempted" by Squeeze. Yay. Most awkward moment: when Kara and Posh made Bucky Covington 2.0 (I mean Casey James) actually undress during his audition so they could see what he looked like without a shirt. Sheesh. Serious low point. Funniest Simon comment: Victoria told Tori Kelly, the 16yo who sang "Gravity" that she liked her dress and thought she was "really sunny" to which Simon called her the Human Orange. He's in fine form!
It looks like we'll see more audition footage tomorrow night with some possible great singers, so will reserve my overall audition round comments until then, but please see my favorite Idol writer Micheal Slezak's ranking of the Power 20 going into tonight's show in the meantime....John Park! Number 1!
So American Idol provides a "history or background context" on some of it's contestants....and we certainly know Idol is a dramatic series....so...I'm going to try and get through this kinda quickly.
There are certain types of Idol back stories we are all familiar with.....first, and perhaps most compelling, are the personal health stories....like that of current Season 9 contestant Justin Williams for example. Interesting how the powers that be chose to highlight Justin's battle with cancer instead of his Hollywood Week stint last season and as a part of White Chocolate with Matt Giraud and Kris Allen. We've seen a wide array of other afflictions just this season including Tourettes Syndrome (Dave Pittman), asthma (Paige Dechausse), and facial paralysis (Shelby Dressel)....but let's remember the darling Elliot Yamin (diabetes) and Scott McIntyre (the first blind American Idol finalist).
Then we have the contestants with the dangerous or mundane occupations, like this season's dock worker Lloyd Thomas ("He, like, works on a dock!" says Kara, she's so smart), or the better known oil rigger finalist Micheal Sarver from Season 8. Or the contestants with what we'll call "family circumstances", like homeless singer Josiah Leming or the child of divorce this season, Maegan Wright (not sure about how dramatic that is, she's got good company, including yours truly). How about Angela Martin with her special needs child, Andrew Garcia who is trying to escape the gangs of his past, or curly-topped former foster kid Chris Golightly. And who could forgot the famous "country bumpkin" back story angle -- this season that spot is aptly filled by rural Tennessee bridge jumper Vanessa Wolfe, but we have watched Kelly "Calamari" Pickler and of course, the gal who put the country bumpkin-est place on Earth, Checotah, Oklahoma on the map, Carrie Underwood. (Incidentally, if you recall, none of these three ladies had ever been on an 'arrow-plane' before Idol!)
Personally, I enjoyed getting to know all of these contestants and my bottom line is that I didn't feel at all exploited, or manipulated as a viewer in hearing them. In all of these cases, I have enjoyed their stories. I think it connects me to them, and I have really enjoyed meeting these contestants in more depth, in many cases meeting family members.....seeing country in many respects, and counting my blessings along the way. And let's face it: we ALL have a back story of one sort or another....I must be the very viewer Fox is targeting.
HOWEVER, the main criticism of the back story is that those contestants with a little bit of talent AND something miraculous, funny, tragic or heartwarming are perhaps trotted out and featured at the expense of those contestants who are great singers, but lack anything dramatic....just regular folk....of whom I am afraid are many. How many talented, bright and potential Idol-worthy singers with nothing distinguishable in their present or past have been allowed to slip through the cracks of the producers? That is the crime in the back story, if there is one.....would love your comments!
On to Denver, the Mile High City, but was it of mile-long talent? Turns out, it was! A whopping 23 contestants made it through to Hollywood, and it was one of my favorite audition cities of this season. We only got to see a fraction of the golden ticket holders, so I'm thinking there are some surprises in store tomorrow night, or in Hollywood.
It's the year of the ladies, and I had two favorite ladies tonight. I just liked Danelle Hayes, who according to Simon needed "rescuing from corporate hell." Idol has often been criticized for "discovering" talent who have already been discovered, and in that vein Danelle was a breath of fresh air. Entering the audition room already in tears, she told of how she has been singing in a cover band and has seen her share of bars, casinos and corporate events. I agreed with Kara, who loved how Danelle wore her heart on her sleeve (despite auditioning in a tank top!). I might stand corrected if this gal has herself all over the Internet and a record deal to boot, but tonight she appeared as the real deal...someone talented looking for a break.
I also really liked preemie Haeley Vaugn who just might break into that Black Pop Country Mainstream music genre she strives to. Infectious smile, nice voice, possibly a new niche! Look at Darius Rucker's great success.....hope she cracks the Top 24 next week!
Best audition song I don't think I've ever heard: "Tempted" by Squeeze. Yay. Most awkward moment: when Kara and Posh made Bucky Covington 2.0 (I mean Casey James) actually undress during his audition so they could see what he looked like without a shirt. Sheesh. Serious low point. Funniest Simon comment: Victoria told Tori Kelly, the 16yo who sang "Gravity" that she liked her dress and thought she was "really sunny" to which Simon called her the Human Orange. He's in fine form!
It looks like we'll see more audition footage tomorrow night with some possible great singers, so will reserve my overall audition round comments until then, but please see my favorite Idol writer Micheal Slezak's ranking of the Power 20 going into tonight's show in the meantime....John Park! Number 1!
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