Month: February 2007 (Page 2 of 11)

Last night’s results show for “American Idol” sent four contestants packing, and there were a few surprises and a few not-so-surprises. The night started off with host Ryan Seacrest announcing some of the stars that will take part in the show during the season, including Diana Ross, Jon Bon Jovi, Jennifer Lopez, Gwen Stefani, Tony Bennett, Martina McBride and Barry Gibb. Can you say “Big Budget?”

Then we had to witness one of the most disturbing Idol moments ever–a group performance of Tears for Fears’ “Sowing the Seeds of Love.” Not only can I never listen to this song the same way again, I’m pretty sure that performance of it has scarred my inner being, causing a few of my brain cells to drop to the floor like sawdust from a workbench.

Then they took the first row of guys, most of which were awful on Tuesday night, and one by one Ryan let them know they were safe….Brandon, Sundance (are you kidding me?), Chris R, Nick, and Blake. Then when he got to the barefoot wonder, Paul Kim, Ryan was quick to say adios…none of that “after the break” crap, just “Paul, you are going home.” Then we had to endure Kim singing that Wham song again, and it was even worse last night. Maybe it’s because he was wearing shoes.

Then the girls went, and with six of them lined up and Antonella on the end, you had to know what was coming, right? Well, these producers are sneaky. All safe–Jordin, Stephanie, Sabrina, Leslie, Melinda and Antonella. Then Ryan went to the first girl in the front row, Amy Krebs, and sent her packing. Amy isn’t the worst singer this competition has ever seen, but you can’t say she was one of the better performers on Wednesday when she sang Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me.”

Then we were treated to a performance by Season 3 champ Fantasia. Damn, I forgot how that girl could wail. She put on a clinic for some of those other girls last night and even got a standing O from all three judges.

Back to reality…..five girls left, and Haley, Lakisha and Gina were all sent back to the pack. So it was between Nicole Tranquillo and Alaina Alexander. I was sure it would be Alaina but was wrong. Nicole and that Erykah Badu song in which you could barely make out the lyrics earned her a ticket back to Philly.

Finally, one more dude had to get a pink slip. All safe–Chris Sligh, Bald Phil, Jared, and AJ. Then it was between Sunjaya and Rudy. Ryan said that one of them had the lowest number of votes while the other was in the top 4. What??? Surely there were some forces of nature at work here that we weren’t aware of, or it’s those idiots who vote for the worst every week. Yeah, Sunjaya was safe….I mean, come on…that dude in the top 4? The other theory is he’s got that likeability factor that Kevin Covais had….just a good, humble kid. So Rudy got the heave-ho, and when he did that horrible Latin-inspired version of “Free Ride” to close out the show, I kind of felt like it was deserved.

We’re now down to 20. My favorites are Stephanie, Melinda, Sabrina, Jordin, Lakisha, Brandon, Chris S, Chris R, and Blake. And actually I’m going to say this right now….watch for Chris Sligh, he is my darkest of dark horses for winning the whole thing. Are you all on the phone to Vegas right now?

See you next week, when they will likely torture us with a group version of Squeeze’s “Pulling Mussels from a Shell.” I cringe in advance.

Adios!

Last night it was the ladies’ turn to show off their vocal wares. Most of the guys on Tuesday night looked like they were walking on egg shells the whole time, being careful not to mess up too much and just coast into next week. Lucky for them two guys and two girls will get voted off this week, and not four guys, because most of the ladies brought it Wednesday night.

Of course, what is “American Idol” without Ryan Seacrest taking shots at Simon Cowell? I mean, dude just doesn’t let up. He was ribbing Cowell about the night before when Simon and Chris Sligh were trading jabs. Who cares? Simon did call Ryan “obnoxious” and that’s all that needs to be said.

So here is the good, bad, and in-between recap of last night…..

THE GOOD

Stephanie Edwards, who is 19 and has the poise of someone who is 29, started off and was awesome. She put on a show and displayed a voice that is capable of taking her far. Randy said she set the bar, and Simon said it was the first performance so far of someone basically saying “I want to win this thing.” Exactly.

Sabrina Sloan, who I’ll admit to not remembering in the audition rounds, took on Aretha Franklin. That’s always a tough nut to crack, but she cracked it. Randy said “Now we have a competition,” Paula gave Sabrina a drunken standing O, and Simon said she was the best so far.

Melinda Doolittle also took on Aretha and was unbelievable. Like, winning it all unbelievable. This career backup singer has been thrust into the spotlight, and she isn’t going to let go of it any time soon.
Paula said as much, and Simon called Melinda an “incredible singer.” That’s strong praise from Mr. Cowell.

Lakisha Jones brought down the house at the end of the night performing a Jennifer Hudson tune from “Dreamgirls.” I kind of thought she was shouting, but my wife informed me that Lakisha performed the song to a tee. The judges all agreed, in particular Simon who boldly stated that the other 23 contestants should be booking a plane ticket home.

Jordin Sparks is only 17, but is another young competitor who doesn’t fear the big stage. She wasn’t the best of this bunch, but was good enough to land in this category. Simon said Jordin has been getting better and better as the rounds go by and that she may wind up surprising some people.

THE IN-BETWEEN

Leslie Hunt, a.k.a. the “dog walker,” was just pretty good. She was the first of three to take on Aretha Franklin, and the only one who didn’t do her song justice. She wasn’t awful, but as Randy said, the song was “too big” for Leslie. Simon said she looked like a “dog walker” who was out of her comfort zone, and that’s pretty much it.

Nicole Tranquillo sang an Erykah Badu song and kind of made it seem like she was singing in another language. It was more style than substance. Paula said Nicole hit the notes, but that’s about it. Simon called the performance “self indulgent and aggressive.” Agreed.

Gina Glockson is so full of herself that I really hope she gets voted off soon. She took on Celine Dion’s version of Eric Carmen’s “All By Myself,” and was pretty much shouting the whole time. Paula said it was the right song, but Simon said Gina didn’t hit the big note at the end, and he was right. Gina, however, told Ryan Seacrest that she gave her own performance a 12 out of 10. Hey Gina, SHUT UP.
You are just not that good.

THE BAD

Amy Krebs sang Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me” and was not bad vocally, but really had no flair at all. Randy and Paula said that Amy played it safe, just like the guys on Tuesday. Simon said that Amy was not memorable at all, and that she had the “personality of a candle.”

Antonella Barba showed why she really doesn’t belong in this competition anymore. This girl has gotten by on her looks for long enough, and last night she sang Aerosmith’s “Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing” like really bad karaoke. Randy said it was “not good” and pitchy, and Simon said that while Antonella is attactive, that song just didn’t work. The good news is that she will likely be reunited with her best friend soon.

Haley Scarnato also took on a Celine Dion song and while she wasn’t the worst of the evening, her performance was way less than memorable. Randy said it was just “okay,” Paula thought it was a bad song choice, and Simon declared that Haley looked like a 40-year-old singing in a hotel lounge (she’s 24). This girl is cute, though, and I think her looks will allow her to stick around for another week.

Alaina Alexander played it super-safe by singing The Pretenders’ “Brass in Pocket.” Randy said it was “not great” and pitchy, Paula said Alaina didn’t “go for it,” and Simon called it “a mess.” I’m going to say that Alaina may be heading home really soon.

Randy Jackson admitted at the end of the night that four guys should be going home instead of two guys and two girls, and while that is a fair statement to make, there were definitely at least two chicks who were bad enough to book a plane ticket home.

Me? I”m going with Antonella and Alaina. This is a singing competition and both of them had awful performances. For the guys, I slipped up by predicting one going home (Sundance Head) but I forgot that two guys will go home in each of the first three weeks of this round. So Sunjaya, you will soon be reunited with your sister.

Tonight is the painful hour-long results show. And if Ryan Seacrest starts jabbing at Simon again, I may just jump on a plane to LA and beat the crap out of him. See you all tomorrow with the recap….

So last night began the first round of Season 6 of “American Idol” in which fans get to vote contestants off the Hollywood island. The 12 guys went first, with the theme of the night being safety. That’s right, almost every dude who sang last night did some sappy ballad that didn’t require dance moves, vocal acrobatics or much flair. And it wasn’t a very good strategy, because the judges called them out on it.
In particular, Simon Cowell was his usual sneering self, but even Randy Jackson told at least one contestant, “Dude, it was bad.” And he didn’t mean the kind of bad that is short for “badass.” He meant “really bad.”

Also, it’s the first we’ve seen of the judges and Seacrest in a live atmosphere this season. Paula is still drunk and she’s still bickering with Simon, and Ryan is back to being a tool. I mean, dude wasn’t so annoying during the taped audition shows, but he can’t hide from his own ego for long. Last night (and he does this every season) he suggested that Simon should give the contestants some positive reinforcement instead of being so negative. Um, dude, he’s not going to change and neitheris your plastic self. He’s going to tell it like it is instead of sugar-coating things, and well he should.

So here are my choices for the good, the bad and the in-between from Round 1…..

THE GOOD

I’m partial to Brandon Rogers, because I know he’s got enormous potential on this show, but last night he was a bit off his game when he did Michael Jackson’s “Rock With You.” Still, I think he was good enough to be in the top four. Simon suggested that Brandon played it safe, though at the end of the night you’d have to think it wasn’t the safest performance by any means.

Chris Richardson, the dude who looks and dances like Justin Timberlake, was a bit pitchy but very entertaining. His version of Gavin DeGraw’s “I Don’t Wanna Be” was a bit thin vocally, but like Paula said, it was a cool arrangement of the song. His flair is definitely going to keep him around for a while.

Chubby kid Chris Sligh took more of a gamble than most, doing the very current “Typical” by MuteMath. He made a statement with this song, because the lyrics imply something to the effect of not being typical, and he made himself stand out from the field. Though Simon suggested it was like watching a student union performance, I think it was way better. This kid has game.

Phil Stacey, the dude who missed the birth of his daughter during the auditions, went last and did Edwin McCain’s “Could Not Ask For More.” It started off pretty weak, but when ol’ Phil launched into the chorus he established that he is one of the best male singers in this competition.

THE IN-BETWEEN

Rudy Cardenas kicked things off last night. Dude looked like a Mexican Clay Aiken and had a weird song choice in Edgar Winter’s “Free Ride.” He even threw in a few “Woohs” ala Taylor Hicks. Randy called it “corny” and I completely agree. Simon said it wasn’t distinctive and Paula said it was “fantastic” through her drunken haze. It was just okay.

Blake Lewis, aka Captain Beat Box, did a Keane song which was a cool choice, but it was still kind of safe and pitchy. Simon said it wasn’t his best vocal, but all of the judges commended him on doing a song in which his beat-boxing took a back seat to his vocals. Still, dude could have stepped things up just a bit.

Jared Cotter did Brian McKnight’s “One” and it wasn’t bad but was kind of boring and safe. Are you sensing a theme here? I wasn’t kidding. But Jared is good enough to hang around a few weeks.

A.J., who is in his fifth attempt at becoming the next Idol, is further along than he ever has been. Simon thought A.J. gave a “theme park performance” and Randy called it “nothing new.” That’s about it…the kid can sing but he didn’t blow anyone away last night.

THE BAD

America, meet Sundance Head. America, watch Sundance Head look twice his age trying to sing the Moody Blues’ “Nights in White Satin.” America, prepare to put Sundance Head in the bottom 3. And I laugh every time they show that clip of Simon saying that Sundance looked like he’d been “boiled” after one audition. I mean, his head looks like a giant tomato when emoting.

Paul Kim did Wham’s “Careless Whisper,” and he did it like every other performance he has put on so far–barefoot. It was like watching Fred Flintstone attempt a wussy version of an already wussy song.
Simon suggested it was “ordinary” and that Kim should really put some shoes on. Ryan tried to show his support by taking his shoes off, but said something about his own recent pedicure. Um, okay. Hey Ryan, it took exactly one night of seeing you in live action to declare you an idiot. Way to go.

Nick Pedro attempted Richard Marx’ “Now and Forever” and even Paula said it was a bad song choice. Randy thought it was boring and pitchy, but somehow Simon thought it was pretty good. I have to say I agree with Paula and Randy on this one, but I’m not sure Nick will wind up in the bottom 3.

Sunjaya did Stevie Wonder’s “Something About Your Love,” a song that contains the lyrics “I Don’t Want to Bore You.” That, my friend, was a risk right there. But it didn’t help that you had exactly zero charisma and did just okay on a song that was way out of your league. I mean, this is Stevie Freaking Wonder you attempted. Paula even said he had no personality last night, but everyone knows this kid can do better. Whether or not he gets another chance remains to be seen.

So there you go…my bottom three? Sundance, Sunjaya and Paul. And it’s really close between Sundance and Sunjaya, but I’m going with Sundance.

Tonight the ladies try to impress us.

Hey, a random observation…..there were zero country songs last night. Will that trend continue tonight? Tune in and find out…..