Author: Mike Farley (Page 52 of 63)

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…..

Last night “American Idol” swiftly made its way to the final 24 contestants, whose fate is now in the hands of our nation’s voters. But before that, every one of the 40 remaining semi-finalists had to perform solo with a real band and real backup singers in front of Randy, Paula and Simon. The song choices were limited, which meant we had to hear Bryan Adams’ “When You Love a Woman” about 25 times. Ugh. That song could seriously induce vomiting when heard that many times.

Then, each contestant had to march into a conference room where the judges let them know if they were staying or going. Of course, the judges had to mess with these poor folks by saying things like “we’re sorry to say……that you’re going to be seeing more of us!” I’m waiting for one of these kids to have a heart attack right there….you think that would put a stop to the nonsense? Hey judges: stop playing games, a yes or no would suit everyone just fine.

Some of the kids going home included Anna Kearns, who Simon had once referred to as a “giraffe;” Tammy, the old-school singer who reminded me of a hippie from the sixties; and Matthew Buckstein, the Jewish cowboy.

So now we have 24 finalists, who will begin performing in front of us all next Tuesday.

For you gambling types, I’m going to take a few shots at predicting the future here.

Among the 12 guys, watch for Brandon Rogers, the career backup singer from L.A. This dude has a stellar voice, and tons of charisma. Same with Chris Sligh, the chubby kid with the afro and glasses. He was part of that guy group who sang the Bee Gees the night before….and there is no denying his vocal talent. Plus, he’s hilarious. Other strong dudes are Phil Stacy, beat-box boy Blake, and Chris Richardson (who looks and dresses like Justin Timberlake). Look for an early exit from Sundance Head (I can’t get out of my head Simon’s comment that he looked like he’d been “boiled” after singing); Sanjaya, the Indian kid with the sister who got booted out a day earlier; and Paul Kim, the barefoot dude who claimed to wear the same underwear for each audition…..um, I’m wondering if ol’ Paul crapped his pants when he went in to learn his fate…I bet that would force him to find clean skivvies.

Among the girls, watch for Melinda Doolittle. She is another career backup singer who is finally getting a chance at the big spotlight, and she so deserves it. I mean, wow. She is this year’s Paris Bennett. Also watch for Stephanie, who looks like Fantasia Barrino but, and I know I’m stretching here, has a better voice than the third season champ. Finally, Lakisha, who claimed that she would be just as happy going home to her young daughter, will have to wait a while. And I’m saying a long while, because she can sing her ass off. Other chicks to watch for are Gina Glockson, Jordin Sparks, and Nicole Tranquillo. Look for early exits from Antonella (is it just me, or is everyone else sick of this chick?), Haley (who was cute but not a good enough singer), and Leslie Hunt.

So that’s it, America. The real fun begins now, and we’ll be here to cover it all. I bet that makes you happy, doesn’t it?

I’m not complaining, but the opening to “American Idol’s” Hollywood rounds was like an episode of speed-dating, speed reading, or, well, it was just plain fast. There were 172 contestants from the seven opening auditions, and by the end of last night they had narrowed the field down to 40. It wasn’t that the usual format was different, with solo auditions in front of the judges again, and the group round, but they just showed less of it. Hey, that’s fine by me.

The girls went first and this season there were twice as many chicks that made it to Hollywood as there were dudes.

Jory Steinberg was dressed EXACTLY like Paula, trying to earn points of some kind. But she didn’t quite sing that well. In fact, the first six they showed all got sent home. Then there was Colombian semi-bombshell Perla, who did her Shakira impression again. She was just okay, but Randy and Paula thought she had just enough personality to advance. Very young Baylie Brown, a blue-eyed blonde cutie, was awesome in the first Hollywood round, just as she was in her initial audition.

In all, the judges sent 56 of the 114 girls home. Then the guys went….Jarrod, the dude who won “Reagan Idol” on his Navy ship, didn’t quite cut it this time around. Then there was Matt Sato, who made a spectacle in his opening round audition, saying his parents didn’t approve of him auditioning. This dude called his mom in tears again when he made it through to the second Hollywood round. They simply showed way too much of this kid.

Then there were the groups. This is always entertaining because inevitably there is bickering when kids with large egos are forced to perform together.

Best friends Amanda and Antonella were paired with Baylie Brown. This was like mixing salsa and cookie dough. They appeared to respect each other, but you could tell the friends didn’t like Baylie and she didn’t like them. Ultimately, two of the girls forgot their lyrics badly, including Baylie. What a shame, because she had the voice to go far. Antonella advanced to the final 40 but her friend Amanda was sent home.

Same thing happened to the Indian brother and sister…the brother made it, she did not. They were shown hugging at the end. Also a shame…I thought she was great but didn’t quite have enough. The dude, though, he’s going to make it far.

Finally Matt Sato got sent home….I don’t think America could handle another phone call to his mom.

Perla’s inability to sing on key finally got her booted out, because the three other chicks in her group were awesome and it made Perla’s flaws stand out.

The guy’s group of Blake, Rudy, Chris (and I can’t remember the fourth guy…hey, when I say they blazed through this, they really did!) was incredible. They did the Bee Gees’ “How Deep is Your Love” and I’m telling you, these kids could go on tour tomorrow and become mega-stars. All four are going to go deep in this competition. It was by far the best group performance ever on the show, and I am not exaggerating.

Also watch for my boy Brandon Rogers…he made the final cut too and I am picking him as top 12 material, maybe top 5.

So I guess tonight they will get from 40 down to 24….the final 12 guys and 12 girls. Hey, again, this is okay by me. This is when the show really gets fun to watch. Yes America, admit it, this show is fun to watch. See you all tomorrow….