American Idol 2/8: Welcome to Hollywood!!!

[Walter Windchill]

I think a new phase in the competition merits a new thread (though one thread might suffice through this round). So... here it is.

I hope Paris and Taylor make it through. Nobody else matters.

[KSO]

I want the cowboy dude to get through.

[Diogenes the Cynic]

Could Kelly Pickler be any more cornpone.

[rockle]

Who are these people? I hardly recognize anyone.

[KSO]

Kellie is way too country girl Hee-Haw for me.

I liked Patrick--did we see him before?

[Queen Tonya]

Oooh, they're teasing us by showing Paris for a millisecond, we had better get to hear her, too!

Or, y'know, I'll keep watching, but I'll be very very miffed at them, that'll show their asses! :mad:

I'm very sorry that Kelly Pickler has had a difficult life, and am happy for her that unlike so many others born into difficult lives she at least has talent and good looks, but they seriously need to stop shoving her treacly self down our throats.

[Biggirl]

Why didn't you tell me you went to a different party?

[Diogenes the Cynic]

Gah...I hope both these smarmy asses get kicked to the curb.

[Biggirl]

I thought Kelly was genuine and sweet. Too bad I hate country. I wouldn't mind listening to that dark haired kid a few times.

That's very important at this stage, watching who will make me want to puncture my ear drums and wonder how anybody could like that singing.

[Susie Derkins]

Gah...I hope both these smarmy asses get kicked to the curb.

Can I rub that lamp, too?

[Diogenes the Cynic]

Heh...nice fake out.

[Biggirl]

Was that bullethead that got booted along with poor, fragile dickhead Lonnie?

[Susie Derkins]

Yes, heads Bullet and Dick both got the boot.

[Biggirl]

I like the much, much better singing.

How did that guy with the cowboy hat get through. He was terrible. There's a shortage of guys, isn't there?

[Diogenes the Cynic]

Lisa Tucker chickened out on the high note of "Hopelessly Devoted."

[Queen Tonya]

Hmm, the Johnny Cash/Garth wannabe who sang Hopelessly Devoted? I swear he was trying to spank the invisible girl he was singing to with that upraised hand!

[Biggirl]

I think I'm gonna be the Paula of this thread. I thought Kelly was sweet. I also felt a tad bit sorry for poor Lonnie when he was just crying and not talking. He looked so young and hurt.

[Walter Windchill]

Hooray! Both of the really slick guys are already gone!

[rockle]

Know who I miss right about now? Already? Effing Constantine. God, he was a creepy little man with a perpetual smirk that I wanted to slap right the hell off his face, but he was entertaining. I know this is a talent show and all, but none of these people seem to have any personality, you know?

My Og, why have you abandoned me and allowed me to get so jaded so quickly?

[Queen Tonya]

I thought Lisa Tucker made a good choice to just hold the note and showcase the vocal strength as opposed to the 'look ma, I can trill' usual style. I'm digging her.

[Diogenes the Cynic]

Those piercings have to go NOW.

[Susie Derkins]

Seems almost a crime to have Paris sing that shitty song.

[Diogenes the Cynic]

Paris does not sing like a 17 year old.

There wasn't exactly much suspense in that "step forward" moment.

[KarlGrenze]

Paris was great!

(And I was posting in the other thread, I just now noticed this)

Is this guy really under 28?

[Biggirl]

Could the instructors be encouraging all that trilling?

That guy is the next Joe Cocker, I'm telling you. I'm digging him.

[Diogenes the Cynic]

Taylor Hicks is really good but I wonder if this show is right for him. He's got almost a Joe Cocker vibe going on. I have a feeling Simon is going to keep carping on him for as long as he lasts, which can be quite a while if he makes to the callers.

[KSO]

I like Taylor a lot--I want to hear him sing a whole song.

[KarlGrenze]

Did both twins passed, or is this the first one?

[Biggirl]

I'm glad these guys are going to jail. And the first one was MUCH better than the second one.

[KSO]

Mary J. Blige and U2 are performing One at the Grammies right now.

[KarlGrenze]

Thanks for the distraction, KSO! :)

[Biggirl]

Mary J. Blige and U2 are performing One at the Grammies right now.
I saw Gorillaz perform. Awesome.


There are many TVs here.

[Diogenes the Cynic]

That was completely the wrong song for the turkey whisperer.

It's kind of funny to see the identity thief twins being so haughty and sniffy knowing they're about to go to jail now.

[Dung Beetle]

I'm glad these guys are going to jail. And the first one was MUCH better than the second one.
Those two have quite a sense of entitlement, don't they?

[rockle]

Oh ... these ones at the end are AWESOME! Chris rocked my socks. And Mandisa! Yummy. But ... so much showing off. Just sing, please, OK? Sing and smile.

[KarlGrenze]

Crazy Dave!

[Susie Derkins]

Holy. Shit.

Did Paula's life just flash before her eyes? I swear I saw Arsenio Hall and a cartoon cat.

[Biggirl]

You could be listening to Kelly Clarkson right now.

[Walter Windchill]

How tall is the cowboy?

[Diogenes the Cynic]

Holy. Shit.

Did Paula's life just flash before her eyes?
My thoughts exactly. She looked like she thought it was all over right then and there.

[LilyoftheValley]

I hate this show's tricky editing. Will somebody tell me why some contestants seem to get the stay-or-leave news alone instead of in the 4-vs-4 setup that was explained at the top of the show?

Biggirl, thanks for the link; I was totally in the wrong thread.

[Walter Windchill]

Sorry for starting a new thread if a new one wasn't necessary. I just felt that a new stage in the competition merited a clean slate.

[Walter Windchill]

I usually don't like the way they tease the contestants. "Congratulations! You are... going home!"

But they did it with 3 or 4 guys who really had it coming all at once. Schadenfreude!

[LilyoftheValley]

I love that Taylor Hicks made that song his own instead of copying the original. But man did the song choices suck.

I really liked Little Boy Shorthair's voice. Probably my favorite male voice of the night. But someone get the kid a fashion stylist!

I'm glad these guys are going to jail.

Makes me downright smile to watch them act like asses. Haha! I know what's in your future and you don't!

[Diogenes the Cynic]

I missed what happened with the basketball girl (Ayla?). Did she get cut?

[Walter Windchill]

I missed what happened with the basketball girl (Ayla?). Did she get cut?

I didn't see her tonight, but according to Internet Rumors (which are unimpeachable), Ayla makes it to the finals.

[Wile E]

If I didn't already know those Britton boys were headed for jail, I'd still hate them. They were not that good, the second one went over the top and was one step away from being Weird Dave. They are both so full of themselves. The second set of twins were actually better singers, although the first of the two was better than the other.

I agree that Kellie Pickler's cornpone Coal Miner's Daughter schtick is already wearing thin.

[marymargaret]

I can't wait for the group performances.

[Millit the Frail]

I'm such a sap. I nearly cried at the scenes of Garet, my little helium-voiced cowboy, standing knee-deep in the ocean in jeans. "You Can't Always Get What You Want" is one of my favorite songs. *sniff*

But jumping Jehosephat, the boy chose the absolute worst song. Yechh.

[Amaranta]

I already disliked Kellie Pickler and her "No, I mean, aw shucks, my life hasn't been that tough... here, let me whine and embellish my sob story for you!". Then they showed her in an orange velour sweat suit. Now I hate her, and hope she disappears SOON.

[vivalostwages]

I liked Paris and Lisa Tucker a lot. I cannot stand those mouthy B-twin boys. Their attitude is going to cost them.

[Liberal]

The standouts for me are Paris and Chris (Daughtry). Those are heavenly voices. Paris is in the stratospheric class of Aretha, Tina, and Patsy. As for Chris, I've always wished there would be born a male who could sing a song and feel a song like Janis Joplin. Well, lo and behold.

[Rilchiam]

Patrick Hall. I? Am in love.

Although he'll have to share my heart with Taylor, who took a song I am heartily sick of and made me wish I could hear him sing it all the way through. He was in the song in a way we rarely hear on AI.

The producers totally ordered Simon, et al to put Tiny Cowboy through.

Kellie Pickler was lying through her teeth when she said she'd never sung in front of people, never sang with a band, and all the rest of it! Why do they allow/encourage that kind of thing? Carrie got the same misdirection.

The Identity Theft Twins are also stealing someone else's camera time. I daresay it's for the purpose of higher drama when their ineligibility is announced, but it still bugs. (At least, I hope it's building up to that. Would really suck if they just disappear, like they quit or were unfairly dismissed.)

[rockle]

But man did the song choices suck.
I think I heard Ryan voice-over last night that for this stage of the competition, the contestants had a choice of 12 songs. I remember hearing "Can't Fight the Moonlight" (yet-a-freakin'-gain), "The First Cut is the Deepest," "I Believe in You and Me," and something by Dionne Warwick whose name escapes me at the moment. This was they best they could do? I know they're looking for something particular at this point, but ... gaaaaah. I look forward to some people's future song selections -- Chris and Paris spring to mind at this point -- and I assure you all, if I never hear another Whitney Houston song again, it will be too soon.

Liberal: "Aretha, Tina, and Patsy" ... love that you put these women in the Pantheon together! Especially Patsy, who is sadly overlooked as one of the greats, I think. Sometimes, you don't need to blow the roof off the joint to move the spirit. I am not a big fan of country music as a general rule, but IMO anyone who does not like Patsy Cline does not have a soul. I will now wander off to sing "She's Got You" quietly to myself ...

[yellowval]

I'm such a sap. I nearly cried at the scenes of Garet, my little helium-voiced cowboy, standing knee-deep in the ocean in jeans. "You Can't Always Get What You Want" is one of my favorite songs. *sniff*

But jumping Jehosephat, the boy chose the absolute worst song. Yechh.

Hell, I did cry. This show has never made me cry before, but this one just got to me. I was glad to see him move on, even though his performance wasn't all that great. This kid actually really deserves a shot, and would probably be one of the hardest-working contestants they've ever had.

I can't wait for the Britnam twins to get their comeuppance. What's that saying about pride ... oh, yeah, now I remember. I'm so looking forward to them falling flat on their fat faces. Jerks. (For the record, I wouldn't be so mad at them but I really liked their first audition. Now they just come over as a couple of asses.)

Next week: Group week. Dah-dah-DUM!

[Reloy3]

My take, sorry - I'm not sure of all the names, so:

The Pickler "Hard-case" girl - I'm in the minority, I like her. I think she comes across as sweet and she can sing. I predict she'll make the final 12 girls, but not the top 5 after the contestants are combined. I think the hardship angle is being promoted by the editors, so I'll give her the benefit of the doubt.

Garet, the turkey cowboy - I do like his story, and he seems nice, but he looks and acts more like he is 12 than 18. Vocally, he is way out of his league, and should be cut soon. I hope not, though. Mostly because us small town Wyoming ranch kids have got to stick together. (I come from a ranch outside of a town with population 13.)

Grey haired guy - I like him, and I don't care if he looks a lot older than he really is. But his voice seems more suited to Nashville Star than to American Idol. (For the record, In some ways I like NS better for two reasons. 1) They don't get far unless they write their own songs and play their own instruments. 2) No age limits. If you're the best in the field, it shouldn't matter your age).

The two 16 year old girls - awesome. Either one could win the whole thing. But the first one who performed needs a sandwich or a better wardrobe consultant.

The evil goateed twins - get off of my screen, your musical skill doesn't make up for your egotism, and I would hate you even if I didn't know about the fraud thing.

THe good non-goateed twins - I liked them and was sad they didn't progress. They weren't the strongest of the bunch, but weaker male singers made it through (like Garet and two the "Hopelessly Devoted" Montage singers).

Spasm guy - well, that's what happens when you use a plane ticket to Hollywood to continue a joke. I was sorry no one else sang "Bat Out of Hell", though. Garet should have sang that.

My favorite? The Bald guy. THe only Male voice that I heard last night that I would vote for in the Finals.

Just my $0.02.

[Walter Windchill]

Is that Chris, the one Liberal likes? I'm not blown away by him, myself, but apparently he makes the finals.

[yellowval]

I'm not trying to attack anyone here, it's sincere curiosity on my part, but where does all this "apparently he's in the finals" stuff come from? Is it from the American Idol board? (Which, admittedly, I've not yet visited this season. I prefer the company here better.) It's beginning to sound like everyone is in the finals!

[Diogenes the Cynic]

I'm not trying to attack anyone here, it's sincere curiosity on my part, but where does all this "apparently he's in the finals" stuff come from? Is it from the American Idol board? (Which, admittedly, I've not yet visited this season. I prefer the company here better.) It's beginning to sound like everyone is in the finals!
There are a number of AI spoiler sites and blogs which purport to know who are in the to 24. The Spoiler forum at Television Without pity is a good place to look for stuff. That's where I found this list (http://forums.televisionwithoutpity.com/index.php?showtopic=1424573&st=2055) of alleged finalists. The list may or may not be accurate but it's my experience that TWoP has a pretty good batting record with this kind of thing. Don't look oif you don't want to know.
Gals: Ayla Brown, Becky O'Donohue, Brenna Gethers, Heather Cox, Katharine McPhee, Kellie Pickler, Kinnik, Lisa Tucker, Mandisa Hundley, Paris Bennett.
Guys: Ace Young, Bobby Bennett, Bucky Covington, Chris Daughtry, David Radford, Elliott Yamin (also known as Efraym Yamin on some lists, but it's the same guy), Gedeon McKinney, Kevin Covais, Patrick Hall, Sway, Taylor Hicks, William Makar..
I don't recognize some of those names so we may still have a few Bo-style dark horses waiting to emerge in the Hollywood rounds.

[Walter Windchill]

I'm not trying to attack anyone here, it's sincere curiosity on my part, but where does all this "apparently he's in the finals" stuff come from? Is it from the American Idol board? (Which, admittedly, I've not yet visited this season. I prefer the company here better.) It's beginning to sound like everyone is in the finals!

A lot of that is me, so I'll explain. Lists of who are in the finals float around on Idol boards and blogs. Just google "taylor hicks" "paris bennett" and "spoilers" (in the same search) and you'll find a few dozen links, all with more or less the same list (they get it from each other)

The primary way people figure this stuff out is the registry of contestant names as domain names (www.somesingersname.com) Savvy Internet people watch the auditions, check the availability of likely finalist names as domain names, and see that several are not only bought, but bought by the same company, one in the UK with known affiliation to the show -- ding ding ding.

That's only part of it. Since contestants aren't allowed to have their own web presence, the sudden disappearance of a site like www.taylorhicks.com is evidence that he was compeled to take it down, and the presence of sites like www.garetjohnsononline.com are evidence that he's not in the finals and allowed to have a website.

Then there's just good old fashioned leaks (finalists must have friends and family who know and leak the info).

All of this can be taken with a grain of salt, of course.

A more important question would be: why is a grown man, at work, researching American Idol finalists? That, I sadly cannot answer.

[Liberal]

Is that Chris, the one Liberal likes? I'm not blown away by him, myself, but apparently he makes the finals.I think it is — even though his baldness is self-inflicted. (On HDTV, you can clearly see the tale-tell coloring of a perfectly decent hairline.)

[rockle]

It's beginning to sound like everyone is in the finals!
Not everyone. I'll be watching from the couch and text-voting like mad. Or not, depending on who impresses me that night.

[Diogenes the Cynic]

Chris is the Christian rocker guy, right? I like his voice but I wonder if he's a little too edgy for Simon's comfort. I think his voice is harder-edged than Bo was- closer to true metal than southern rock.

[yellowval]

A more important question would be: why is a grown man, at work, researching American Idol finalists? That, I sadly cannot answer.

And now my co-workers are wondering why I just spewed a mouthful of water all over the place!

Anyway, thanks for the info guys. I'm a total spoiler whore.

[KSO]

Not everyone. I'll be watching from the couch and text-voting like mad. Or not, depending on who impresses me that night.

I thought the producers pick the final 24 and it's only after that that the unwashed masses get to vote...

[Wile E]

My take, sorry - I'm not sure of all the names, so:

The Pickler "Hard-case" girl - I'm in the minority, I like her. I think she comes across as sweet and she can sing. I predict she'll make the final 12 girls, but not the top 5 after the contestants are combined. I think the hardship angle is being promoted by the editors, so I'll give her the benefit of the doubt..

Yes, I am sure the producers have a lot to do with what is shown and probably encourage her to talk about it so they can tape it but it doesn't make it any less annoying. I do like her for now, but that is going to get old fast. It's like the "Fantasia's a teen mom who loves her baby!" deal from Idol 3. Enough already.

Garet, the turkey cowboy - I do like his story, and he seems nice, but he looks and acts more like he is 12 than 18. Vocally, he is way out of his league, and should be cut soon. I hope not, though. Mostly because us small town Wyoming ranch kids have got to stick together. (I come from a ranch outside of a town with population 13.)

They said to the girl with laryngitis that they judged not only on that performance but their previous one. It was a bad song choice for him but you could still hear a good voice in there. I have to wonder about that cowboy in the dark clothes who sounded awful cheesy and went on anyway. I don't remember him from the auditions and that was worse than some of those who got cut.

Grey haired guy - I like him, and I don't care if he looks a lot older than he really is. But his voice seems more suited to Nashville Star than to American Idol. (For the record, In some ways I like NS better for two reasons. 1) They don't get far unless they write their own songs and play their own instruments. 2) No age limits. If you're the best in the field, it shouldn't matter your age).

I don't think he's a old as he looks, his hair is grey but his face isn't, although he could be a bit older than the top age limit. Simon said in an interview before the auditions aired that there could be some surprises, like older contestants. I don't think his sound would fly in Nashville, he's more bluesy than country.

Spasm guy - well, that's what happens when you use a plane ticket to Hollywood to continue a joke. I was sorry no one else sang "Bat Out of Hell", though. Garet should have sang that.


I still think that Paula and Randy dissed the show and all the good performers that weren't quite good enough for Hollywood but sending that guy. They deserve all the shit Simon gives them from now on for that crap and they deserve a few swift kicks as well. If the mysterious producers whispered in their ears to send the guy on then they deserve to be exfoliated with cheese graters and dipped in lemon juice. It wasn't "good tv" it was insulting to the show and if they're going to start disrespecting their own show in this way then why should we give a shit about it?


My favorite? The Bald guy. THe only Male voice that I heard last night that I would vote for in the Finals.

If that was Chris Daughtry (I think that's his name) the guy they showed in the auditions that did his own take on "My Baby Sent Me a Letter", then I agree. One of the best male voices.

[Psycho Pirate]

A more important question would be: why is a grown man, at work, researching American Idol finalists? That, I sadly cannot answer.An even more important question would be: why aren't you using proper etiquette and placing spoilers in spoiler boxes?

[Nightingale]

Could somebody explain about the identity theft thing? Was it those self-gratifying goateed egomaniacal twins? Oh, please tell me that they not only get unceremoniously booted from the show, but they land in jail!

(Can you tell I hated those guys? Humph. Dissing Carrie Underwood, who could sing either of them under the table with one lung tied behind her back? Creeps.)

[yellowval]

Yep, that was them. (http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0119061idol1.html?link=rssfeed)

[rockle]

I thought the producers pick the final 24 and it's only after that that the unwashed masses get to vote...
Well, that's what I meant. Once I can vote, I will. But I didn't even make it to Hollywood, is my point. (Of course, I'm also old as dirt compared to some of these kids, and as much as I think I'm Aretha Franklin in the shower, I'm probably more like Roseann Barr in real life.)

[Biggirl]

Who was the guy with the Jesus hair who pulled a Constantine on Paula? I thought she was gonna start humping her chair while he was singing? Did he get through?




The only names I know for sure are The Pickler and Paris. Gah! Where's Queen Tonya with her very good notes on who is who when you need her?

[Kalhoun]

I like the much, much better singing.

How did that guy with the cowboy hat get through. He was terrible. There's a shortage of guys, isn't there?
He's such a heavy dose of "Aw Shucks!" that they couldn't pass him up. He sang better in the initial audition. Once he gets over his nerves, I think he'll have some staying power, but there's no way this kid is the next Idol.

I think that black chick with the long curly hair is going to go at least to the final four. In fact, she'll probably go to the final two. She's got the look, the stage presence, and the type of voice that sells today.

[Kalhoun]

Could the instructors be encouraging all that trilling?

That guy is the next Joe Cocker, I'm telling you. I'm digging him.
THAT'S WHAT WE SAID! I loved him.

I'd like to see a different kind of talent search. I loved those two Chicago Twins (the ones in the stupid pink pants) when they sang together. Independently, they were just OK. But a whole show of couples acts would be great. I love harmonies.

[Walter Windchill]

An even more important question would be: why aren't you using proper etiquette and placing spoilers in spoiler boxes?

I will certainly start using them now. Sorry.

[LilyoftheValley]

I'd like to see a different kind of talent search. I loved those two Chicago Twins (the ones in the stupid pink pants) when they sang together. Independently, they were just OK.

I think you mean, "They were just a'ight." :D

And, yeah, I was shouting at my screen that Simon was 100% right that I wouldn't remember the performance in half an hour. Big blah.

[Walter Windchill]

Who was the guy with the Jesus hair who pulled a Constantine on Paula? I thought she was gonna start humping her chair while he was singing? Did he get through?

His name is Ace, and he did make it through. he's a finalist

[Wile E]

I'm curious to find if anyone has ever compiled some statistics on how far kids with 3 "yes, absolutely, you're going to Hollywood" votes do against those that barely squeaked by with 2 yes votes.

[yellowval]

His name is Ace, and he did make it through. he's a finalist

He's the one they were really talking up when the season first started, wasn't he? I was underwhelmed by his original audition, and apparently missed him last night.

My dog had to go to the bathroom.

Was he any good?

[lissener]

Cute. (http://www.garetjohnsononline.com/images/gallerypic10.jpg)

Hot. (http://www.rickey.org/blog/images/2006/02/ace-young-01-2006-2-1.html)

Patrick Hall. I? Am in love.
Not.

[gigi]

Could somebody explain about the identity theft thing? Was it those self-gratifying goateed egomaniacal twins? Oh, please tell me that they not only get unceremoniously booted from the show, but they land in jail!

(Can you tell I hated those guys? Humph. Dissing Carrie Underwood, who could sing either of them under the table with one lung tied behind her back? Creeps.)Yeah, they should at least wait to trash the show until after they are booted off. Nice how they will recommend the other twins to their producer friends; they've got juice but somehow still need AI??

[Biggirl]

Hey, what happened you Young Zack? Does anybody remember seeing him last night? He was yummy.

[Queen Tonya]

The only names I know for sure are The Pickler and Paris. Gah! Where's Queen Tonya with her very good notes on who is who when you need her?

I'm right there on the clueless couch with you, babe. :smack:

I promise to do better next week!

[yellowval]

So, turns out Idol scored bigger ratings (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060209/ap_on_en_tv/grammys_tv_ratings) than the Grammys last night. Maybe Kelly shouldn't be so quick to dismiss the show after all?

[Nightingale]

Nice how they will recommend the other twins to their producer friends; they've got juice but somehow still need AI??

Those were my thoughts exactly.

[RachelChristine]

I hate it when people say things like "I don't understand. I never did anything to Simon." Bullethead said something to that effect. Do they really think it's personal? It drives me batty, and I hear people say it all the time!!!!

[Liberal]

Chris is the Christian rocker guy, right? I like his voice but I wonder if he's a little too edgy for Simon's comfort. I think his voice is harder-edged than Bo was- closer to true metal than southern rock.Simon didn't like him, even in his audition. His was the only "no" vote. (And he said it after a long, pensive glare.)

[Diogenes the Cynic]

I hate it when people say things like "I don't understand. I never did anything to Simon." Bullethead said something to that effect. Do they really think it's personal? It drives me batty, and I hear people say it all the time!!!!
Simon had done a little bit of fake out when he cut them ("Congratulations.....on getting this far. Now you're going home") and Sgt. Smarm was complaining that he had been "dissed." ("...and I've never done anything to diss Simon like that'). Like a lot of them, he's under a fundamental misperception that any of that stuff is personal or really has anything to do with him. He doesn't get that doing the fake-out bit with the cuts is just part of the show and has zero to do with him personally or with anyone else who gets cut. Like a lot of them, he has an exaggerated sense of his own importance and therefore assume the judges have ever spent more than 20 seconds giving him any thought at all. He thinks that Simon actually made a conscious decision to cut Bullethead out of the show and to do the fake-out bit, just to fuck with him, Bullethead, the center of the universe, specifically. I wonder if he even noticed that he wasn't the only one who got cut and I wonder if 30 minutes later Simon even remembered who was in that group or what he had said to them.