American Idol 5/2

[Dung Beetle]

I hereby declare this thread started! (I'm not going to be around next week, so someone else is going to have to do it.)

Let's see: Chris, Katharine, Taylor, Elliott, and Paris left, and two songs each tonight. It's Elliot or Paris going home tomorrow. Yup.

[Dolores Reborn]

I agree with your assessment. I predict a Chris and Katherine final two.

[marymargaret]

I think Taylor, Chris, and Katharine will be the top three. I'm not sure who the last two will be.

[Carm6773]

I really hope Elliot goes this week. I know it sounds weird, but I don't like his teeth.

I think it will be a Chris/Taylor final, with Paris being third and Katharine being fourth.

[Reloy3]

Rumored Song Choices

1. Paris-- Kiss (Prince) and Without You (Mary J. Blige).
Kat-- Against All Odds (Phil Collins) and Black Horse and Cherry Tree (KT Tunstall)
Taylor-- Play that Funky Music (Wild Cherry) and Something (Beatles - George Harrison wrote this one)
Elliot-- On Broadway (George Benson) and Home (Micheal Buble)
Chris-- Renegade (Styx) and "I Dare You" (Shinedown)

If true, I think Taylor is getting by on a technicality, and Paris will either be stellar or (more likely) flame out horribly.

[Marconi & Schmeese]

What's the theme this week? Have I just missed it?

[KarlGrenze]

Why is Taylor getting by on a technicality?

I hope Kat goes... she sings pretty, but doesn't inspire me..

[Reloy3]

Why is Taylor getting by on a technicality?

If the song choices under the spoiler tags are right, then Taylor picked

A song originally performed in the 60's as his "song from the current top 10 Billboard chart". As I understand it, a new Beatles collection is on the album chart. Probably technically OK, but it seems a little out of the intention of the challenge. No more than Chris' rendition of "Walk the Line" on country night, though..

[Hal Briston]

What's the theme this week? Have I just missed it?Song 1: "Songs From The Year You Were Born", and Song 2: "Songs From The Current Billboard Top 10"

[vivalostwages]

Looking forward to it. I think Paris will go this week, Elliot the next, then Taylor. It will be a close race between Kat and Chris.

[Walter Windchill]

The song choices are more than rumors... Seacrest announced them on the radio show.

[rockle]

Reloy3, Chris did "Walk the Line" on "Songs from the '50's Night." Which it is. But still, I see your point.

Game on, Final Five! Game ON!

[Biggirl]

I think Dung Beetle may be right about whose going, although I hope it'll be Kat, since I like her the least.

Didn't Elliot already do this song?

[KarlGrenze]

AI has a radio show now?

[Diogenes the Cynic]

Elliot was just a'ight. He didn't suck but didn't give me goosebumps either.

It's kind of weird not having anyone left that I hate.

[KarlGrenze]

Paris... Wait, that means she's 18, right? Or close to it...

I hope she doesn't mess up a Prince song...

[Biggirl]

My kids were born in '87 and they're 18. Chris is younger than Elliot?

[Diogenes the Cynic]

He's doing Styx? He's dead to me. This is even more unforgivable than Creed.

[JeffB]

18 in August.

Paris was brave to choose a Prince song. She did okay with it.

[KarlGrenze]

Chris looks hot... I like his song choice...

I don't think Paris was that screechy, and now that I think about it, Prince IS a bit screechy in that song.

[Biggirl]

He's doing Styx? He's dead to me. This is even more unforgivable than Creed.
What's wrong with this song? He could have done Babe.

[BabaBooey]

Liked Chris, but that may because it's just a great song.

[JeffB]

Styx was one of my favorite groups once...a long time ago. Chris did a great job with it.

[Diogenes the Cynic]

They could try to make the pimping at least a little less obvious. That was a suck-ass song, listlessly performed and which was actually the worst performance so far tonight.

Look for them to trash Taylor no matter how well he does. They're scared shitless he's going to win.

[Diogenes the Cynic]

What's wrong with this song? He could have done Babe.
Or "Lady" or "Mr. Roboto." The suck goes deep with that band.

[JeffB]

I HATE this song.

[BabaBooey]

I think Kat would smile singing "Amazing Grace" at a funeral.

[KSO]

Shitty song, boring performance.

[adhemar]

Whoa! Katherine sounded horrible. Looks great though.

[Biggirl]

I used to think that I could be maybe a little objective. But Kat sounded pretty bad to me. I'm hoping it's not just me.

[KarlGrenze]

I don't like Kat's dress...

Simon was trying not to be too bully...

[Biggirl]

He's gonna do Play That Funky Music, White Boy? Why yes, yes he is. I love Taylor.

[KarlGrenze]

Taylor keeps scaring me.... His movements don't help...

[adhemar]

I dont' care what the judges I say I love Taylor.

[JeffB]

This is the perfect Taylor song. (Great shirt, too.) But it also demonstrates why he won't win -- it's fun but not marketable.

[Diogenes the Cynic]

Perfect song for Taylor. Good performance. I'm sure Simon will hate it.

[KarlGrenze]

You were right Dio... but he's still scary.

[LilyoftheValley]

"On Broadway"? "Against All Odds"? What is this, Scott Savol theme night?

[Biggirl]

You were right Dio... but he's still scary.
::: makes soft, cooing noises:::
It's all right Karl. Taylor's not here to hurt you. He's here to entertain you. He can't help but make sudden, spastic movements. It's ingrained in him.

[KarlGrenze]

You were right Dio... but he's still scary.

[KarlGrenze]

Stupid double post...

Good song from Elliot..

This night has been better than others...

[rockle]

Catching up thanks to the power of TiVo ...


Elliott = Okay. Not spectacular, but not bad. I've heard worse versions of "On Broadway," but then again, I was also drunk at the time, and so were the singers. I still don't "feel" him, but he isn't bad.
Paris = I'm very disturbed by her choice of song, and I just can't get over it. I found something very kiddie porn about it, and I have to admit I hardly heard her sing. If anything, she just proved that -- like Stevie Wonder -- nobody but Prince can do Prince.
Chris = I need to have his babies. I don't recognize the song but I thought it was a helluva performance. If that is a Styx song, then I need to go back and give them another listen, because that song rocked.
Kat = Maybe I'm sorely mistaken, but isn't there supposed to be an actual melody in there somewhere? Surely her mom-the-voice-teacher's taught her daughter that performing isn't all trilling and improvising. Somebody actually wrote that song, you know -- and I don't think s/he would be very pleased that all the original notes on the page were ignored. And, that dress is FUGLY.
Taylor = They still shoot rabid animals, don't they? Plus, that is absolutely the ugliest piece of fabric on the face of the Earth. It's even worse than my grandmother's "vintage" 1972 brocade sofa, which is pretty farking hideous. Can't say much about the singing because I was looking for the eyewash.

Oh, God, second round already. Don't like this other song of Elliott's, either. It's boring. I'd kill myself if I were stuck in an elevator listening to that song, I think.

[JeffB]

Elliott did well, but it's just not a song I'd care to hear again.

[KarlGrenze]

This could be a difficult song for Paris... Not bad so far... but it is more quiet and subdued than "Kiss".

Was I the only one who lost audio during that part of Paris's performance?

I finally read Prince's Kiss. Oh yea, he's my crush...

[Biggirl]

Did they just bleep Paris?

[JeffB]

I lost a couple seconds, too.

Paris did very well with that song.

[rockle]

Didn't like that song from Paris. I fear tonight may be her last.

[BabaBooey]

Audio went out earlier in the show for me when no one was talking, so I doubt they bleeped her, probably just some technical difficulties.

[LilyoftheValley]

Was I the only one who lost audio during that part of Paris's performance?

No, I lost it too -- and in the moment of just lookng at her, I decided that her outfit was even more hideous than I had thought with the sound their to distract me.

[JeffB]

I just looked up the lyrics for "Without You" and it does have the word "shit" in it, so maybe they did bleep her.

[LilyoftheValley]

There, of course. Speaking of distractions.

[JeffB]

Definitely a drop off for Chris.

[Diogenes the Cynic]

That was boring for Chris. He was perfectly safe in his warm cozy box. but sort of walked right through it.

[KarlGrenze]

Kat shouldn't mess this up...

I don't see the angst in this song, the fury, the seriousness...

[Biggirl]

Not my favorite from Chris. Is Kat gonna get off her knees?

[Diogenes the Cynic]

I got wood from that so I guess it was good.

[Biggirl]

A box drum? My son says it's a "rectangular sound organ".

[JeffB]

Better than her first song. Good, but not great.

[BabaBooey]

Great performance from Kat the second time around. What's the name of that song?

[rockle]

Didn't like Chris's song, but I thought the performance was OK. He's hot as hell, I have to say. Bo who? I worry about his voice, though. He really does need to take care of his instrument. Or, you know, I'll take care of it for him. Whichever.

Kat's voice is entirely too "clean" for this song. As usual, there appears to be no human emotion of any kind behind it. I'm convinced she's totally an automaton. And once again, she smiled her way through what is NOT A HAPPY SONG. Gaaaah.

[JeffB]

To pull up an earlier quote:
I think Kat would smile singing "Amazing Grace" at a funeral.This sums up my reaction to all of Kat's performances: her stage presence doesn't match the songs.

[Diogenes the Cynic]

I thought the second song was supposed to be cuurent. He sounds good -- isn't spazzing out-- not terribly exciting, though.

[KarlGrenze]

Yea, if anyone has seen the video for that song, the woman there portrays angst, fury, energy...

Kat doesn't...

And there comes Taylor... *shudder*

[Batsinma Belfry]

Taylor was good until the end when he got screamy.

[JeffB]

Does anyone know why that song is a current top 10?

[rockle]

BOOOOOOO! That is one of my Top Three Favorite Beatles Song, and Taylor just murdolated it. I thought the purpose of doing a "current" Billboard hit was to do a song in the second half of the show that is newer than the songs in the first half?

I would like to say, once and for all: Screw you, Taylor. You're no George Harrison, or Ray Charles, or Joe Cocker, or Lead Singer From Wild Cherry. Shut. Up! and wreck your own damn songs. Stop messing with other people's.

[Diogenes the Cynic]

I'd give Taylor the best marks of the night. Kat second. I'd put Chris at the bottom for tonight but not because he really sucked that bad, he was just the least good of a strong field.

My guess is that Paris will go, though.

[Biggirl]

I think it's Elliot who is leaving us, no matter how much I wish it was Kat.

[rockle]

BOOOOOOO! ... <blahblahblah> ... Screw you, Taylor. ... <blahblahblah> ...
Yeah, in retrospect, that was a little crankier than I necessarily needed to be, and I'm sorry, but as a Crotchety Old Hag, I reserve the right to complain about These Kids Today. Sorry. Feel free to ignore me.

[Diogenes the Cynic]

BOOOOOOO! That is one of my Top Three Favorite Beatles Song, and Taylor just murdolated it. I thought the purpose of doing a "current" Billboard hit was to do a song in the second half of the show that is newer than the songs in the first half?

I would like to say, once and for all: Screw you, Taylor. You're no George Harrison, or Ray Charles, or Joe Cocker, or Lead Singer From Wild Cherry. Shut. Up! and wreck your own damn songs. Stop messing with other people's.
I thought he sang the song pretty damn well. I don't get the Taylor hate.

[Biggirl]

All the Taylor haters at work absolutely love Chris and see Taylor as Chris' mortal enemy. Not that I'm saying that's rockle's dislike. Many people who dislike Taylor don't like his looks or his spazziness.

[Queen Tonya]

Hey, this isn't on at 9 tonight? @#%)*!!!

Guess I'll read the thread since I missed it entirely. :(

[rockle]

I thought he sang the song pretty damn well. I don't get the Taylor hate.
We'll have to agree to disagree. I don't really like Taylor that much, although I don't actually hate him as much as the quoted post would suggest (I save that level of ire and disgust for Scott Savol and the Pickler). I just didn't like it because I'm partial to George. See my post immediately above yours, also. I'm very gretzy and need a nap and/or vacation and/or margarita.

[JeffB]

I guess I'm officially old since I knew all of the old songs but none of the new ones.

Chris: Had the best performance with "Renegade" then went down with his second song.

Tayler: I enjoyed "Play That Funky Music" but "Something" was just okay, bordering on poor.

Paris: Two good song choices and solid performance with both.

Katharine: Bad version of a bad song with "Against All Odds" but an okay job with the second song.

Elliott: Didn't do well with "On Broadway" and both song choices were boring.

I think Elliott may go home.

[vivalostwages]

All the Taylor haters at work absolutely love Chris and see Taylor as Chris' mortal enemy. Not that I'm saying that's rockle's dislike. Many people who dislike Taylor don't like his looks or his spazziness.

The show hasn't aired here yet, but......
Dang it, I like Chris and Taylor.

[KarlGrenze]

Oh, Taylor scares me since the beginning. I just find him creepy.

[PapSett]

My highlight for the night was seeing Ace in the audiance.

That's all I have to add.

[rockle]

My highlight for the night was seeing Ace in the audiance.
Yeah, actually, that was pretty funny. And has Nikki McKibbin always looked so to' up? Girlfriend was looking rough tonight. Although that purple in her hair works, somehow.

[Biggirl]

The show hasn't aired here yet, but......
Dang it, I like Chris and Taylor.
Me too!

[marymargaret]

Why did Kat sing that song on her knees?

[Rachael Rage]

My highlight for the night was seeing Ace in the audiance.Dang, how did I miss that? Oh well... on to tonight's impressions.

I love that there's nobody left in the competition who I actively want to lose. Therefore, I don't feel responsibility for voting for everyone I like, and stick to who I really think did the best. And those are...

1. Taylor: excellent song choices and performances, especially "Something." Showcased everything he does well. He's a pro, and it shows. Tonight was the first time I felt that not only could he win, but he should and I hope he will.

2. Paris: both very good performances. She's the one I would consider voting for to "save" her. She shouldn't go home this week. I really liked the Mary J. Blige song.

3. Katharine: She was off-key a lot the first song, but I thought did a great job on the second one. I wasn't paying attention to the lyrics, though, so I wouldn't be surprised if she were (as usual) failing to "act" the song appropriately. Vocally, though, she did a fine job.

4. Chris: A close race with Kat for 3rd place. I thought his vocal on "Renegade" was OK, but his performace was a bit uneven. I've already forgotten the second song. He's very good, but lately I've been underwhelmed by his performances.

5. Elliott: Emotionally, he's my favorite and I'd love it - love it - if he won. But I'm pretty much certain he's going home tomorrow. He just wasn't as good as everyone else tonight, either vocally or performance-wise. I'll miss him, but I think his time is up. :(

[SmackFu]

Does anyone know why that song is a current top 10?

It's this evil chart, Top Pop Catalog Albums (http://www.billboard.biz/bb/charts/popcat.jsp). The Beatles 1 singles collection is on there. And has been for the last 280 weeks.

Other hip choices in the top 10 would've been AC/DC, Johnny Cash, and Pink Floyd.

"Catalog albums are 2-year-old titles that have fallen below No. 100 on The Billboard 200 or reissues of older albums"

[Mama Tiger]

I got wood from that [Kat's second song] so I guess it was good.

Yeah, Papa T. said, "If she dressed like that all the time, she'd win hands down." I didn't get the sexiness of it, but I guess she was jiggling pretty good. She knows how to keep the Drooling Old Guy audience happy; I don't know your demographic, DtC, so that was not referring to you. Unless it applies, of course.

I really enjoyed Elliott tonight; his voice is just so mellow now that he's not a bundle of nerves, he's really enjoyable. I also enjoyed Taylor because he's such a pro. Paris can sing anything, but I really suspect she'll be going home because she just don't have the big fan base of most of the others -- and to be honest, this show really isn't where her career is headed in any case. Kat clearly couldn't hear herself on the second song, judging by her intonation, but did a lot better on the second song; I don't know the original so can't comment on her inappropriate smiling. And Chris crawled right back into his comfy box tonight. He's gotta watch out for the instrument, though; maybe he should go back to David Foster or Andrea Bocelli for some voice lessons. Because he should be able to sing all day without a problem if he's using his voice right. Which he totally isn't.

[PunditLisa]

Well, gosh. It was an odd evening. I think they all had one stellar performance and then one so-so performance. So I have no idea who I'd vote for.

Elliott - I enjoyed "Nights on Broadway" but didn't really think he did so great on the Buble number.

Paris - I thought she did great on "Kiss" though I don't particularly care for the song. The Mary Blige number was just okay.

Katharine - She absolutely tanked on "Against All Odds" but did great on the "Woo Hoo" song (which I've never heard of, and have no idea what it is titled.) It was cute and funky.

Chris - Liked "Renegade" but thought the second number was boring and predictable.

Taylor - "Play the Funky Music" was boring and predictable for him, too. Really enjoyed "Something," which is my favorite Beatles song. I agreed with Simon that it was nice to hear him actually sing because I've underestimated his talent with all his schtick.

Didn't vote. I think it may be Katharine's turn to go. She's beautiful and has a great voice, but her personality is MIA.

[Wile E]

...

Katharine - She absolutely tanked on "Against All Odds" but did great on the "Woo Hoo" song (which I've never heard of, and have no idea what it is titled.) It was cute and funky.

....

I went into the kitchen during Kat's second song and all I could hear was "WooHoo" over and over again. Now my kitchen and living room aren't that far apart so I wondered "why can't I hear more words?" so I walked back to the living room and then I heard "unintelligible muttering WOOHOO unintelligible muttering" and I decided that that song and performance really sucked. But I was reminded of The Sims who call sex "woohoo" so I at least got a snerk out of it.


I had to go grocery shopping tonight after work so I missed the first songs by all but Taylor and I liked him singing "Play That Funky Music, White Boy". But I thought "Something" was not up to par. I liked Chris and Paris's second songs, and Elliots was just okay for me.

I have no predictions on who will go or who will stay. I think this is the first season where I have ever seen a top 5 so well matched.

[Gary T]

I enjoyed "Nights on Broadway"...

The title of the song is "On Broadway."

[Rilchiam]

At times like this, I wish AI was like a pageant, where people who don't win can still get subsidiary titles. I'd like to see Taylor get some kind of recognition for PTFM, regardless of how high he places this season. For a while now, people have been griping that there hasn't been any showstopper, like Fantasia doing "Summertime" or Bo doing "In a Dream". Well, we finally saw one. Taylor, I salute you.

I hope it's not a bad omen for Elliott that last year, Scott performed "On Broadway" at this point in the competition, and was voted off that week.

Paris did well on her second song, but as for the first one...So many of the contestants don't realize that many songs are not singers' songs, and that was one of them.

Has Simon ever made such a concerted effort to mess with a contestant's mind as he's doing with Kat?

Chris got the pimp lighting again. Sigh. I don't hate him; I don't even have a problem with his winning (though I hope to see either Taylor or Elliott in the final 2 opposite him). But do they have to make it so. freaking. obvious?

[Gary T]

Elliott: 1st song - decent job, rather workmanlike; 2nd song - boring.

Paris: 1st song - rather good I thought, had a little pizzazz; 2nd song - all right.

Chris: 1st song - good, but not as earth-shakingly get-down-on-your-knees-and-praise-the-Lord-that-you-were-blessed-and-privileged-to-hear-it wonderful as the judges were saying gushing; 2nd song - so-so.

Kat: 1st song - boring; 2nd song - my favorite of the night. Several different voice timbres, none of which seemed out of place. Had some pizzazz, had some pathos.

Taylor: 1st song - not bad, fun; 2nd song - not bad, sweet. Guy would be great to hear in a bar or nightclub. Not the type of performer who should be played on the radio or seen at a big concert hall.

[vivalostwages]

Elliott: 1st song - decent job, rather workmanlike; 2nd song - boring.

Paris: 1st song - rather good I thought, had a little pizzazz; 2nd song - all right.

Chris: 1st song - good, but not as earth-shakingly get-down-on-your-knees-and-praise-the-Lord-that-you-were-blessed-and-privileged-to-hear-it wonderful as the judges were saying gushing; 2nd song - so-so.

Kat: 1st song - boring; 2nd song - my favorite of the night. Several different voice timbres, none of which seemed out of place. Had some pizzazz, had some pathos.

Taylor: 1st song - not bad, fun; 2nd song - not bad, sweet. Guy would be great to hear in a bar or nightclub. Not the type of performer who should be played on the radio or seen at a big concert hall.

I'm probably most in agreement with this post. Nothing was really horrible; some stuff was just so-so and not too interesting but certainly not unbearable.
I don't mind watching Taylor, though. If he made a DVD collection of music videos, I'd watch them for the fun he brings to the performance.

[DMark]

Elliot - good, but nothing great.
Paris - very good, both songs.
Kat - first song truly horrible, but second was quite good.
Chris - first very good, second was not.
Taylor - first not so good, second was the best he has sung all year.

None of the performances gave me goosebumps, there were just good.

For the first time in all these years I really have no clear idea of who will win, nor do I really have a favorite.

My guess is Elliot is probably gone tomorrow.
Paris is very good, but she doesn't need this show anymore.
Kat has also reached her peak, so if Elliot doesn't go, she should hail a taxi home.
Chris - I have liked him from day one, but of late, he seems to be taking himself a tad too serious and I am getting a little tired of the same rock and roll every time, no matter how good he is.
Taylor seems to be missing half a lung...he just doesn't have the power in his voice and should thank the sound technicians for getting this far. He seems like a nice enough guy, but I doubt he will be the winner.

[DKW]

Count me in as another one who can't understand all the Taylor hatred. Frankly, he's about the only thing on this season that's even remotely approximated entertainment. (What you think I'd listen to Unchained Melody and Bohemian Rhapsody for any stinkin' reason in the universe other than discussing it on a message board??)

He's having fun and giving the audience a show. For that, I can take a little wedding drunkenness.

Oh-kay...don't really have much of an opinion of the performances, so this week I'll be like the judges. By which I mean talk about whatever I damn want.

Elliot Yamin
Everything about him is pointing to "bar tour" or "cabaret act". My question is, what the hell is wrong with that? What, you HAVE to be on the radio and sell two million albums or you're a dismal failure? Puh-leeze. I know he'll never be a star, but seriously, dumping on him week after week is a bit much.

Paris Bennett
Am I the only one who thinks she should've had the guts to leave "girl" unchanged? For crying out loud, it's two-thousand-effin'-six, our world is the most cosmopolitan and multicultured it's been in history...if there's someone out there who can't stomach the idea of two women just having some kind of relationship, I say screw 'em. See, this...THIS is why I have no use for stupid vanilla mainstream culture. (Oh, and besides that, you really want to be associated with "The artist formerly known as the artist formerly known as Prince?")

Chris Daughtry
I think I mentioned this way back. I'll say it again: There really, really (even more than tiered eliminations and/or better handling of the judges) needs to be different categories for different types of music. How do you compare a great rock singer to a great jazz singer? A soloist to someone with backup vocalists? Hey, if Ultimate Fighting Championship could inaugurate different classes, so can AI. Anyway, Chris has shown enough versatility to me that I don't think the "all he can do is rock" label is valid anymore.

Katharine McPhee
All I got to say is that I hope she never, ever is asked to do the national anthem. I think the backlash is going to rival what Roseanne Barr got. She needs to understand that indiscriminate voice modulating isn't sexy, it makes her sound like she just stepped on a waxed floor.

Taylor Hicks
He's going to become a star. I just know it. I don't care where he places in this stupid contest. All the elements are in place: Fanbase, pretty good talent, willing to work hard and put on a show...and a massive wave of critics caring way, way more than they should. He'll have his CD, he'll hit the TV circuit, he'll have millions of screaming fans, he'll be in the news week after week after week, and there's not a damn thing anyone can do to stop it. It's Paris Hilton all over again.

BTW, yes, I noticed all the pimping for Chris. My opinion: Heh heh, cute, they actually think they have any kind of influence over the voters. Seriously, in terms of pure, hopeless desperation, this dwarfs Walter Mondale. :)

[Dung Beetle]

Elliot Yamin
I hope you were serious when you sang "I Want to Go Home", because it's time to pack.

Paris Bennett
I didn't like Kiss, but the second song sounded good. However...what in Og's name was she thinking when she got dressed? An ill-fitting camoflage jacket, a red belt with a butterfly clasp, and baggy silver capris. Any one of those elements alone is bad enough, put 'em all together and it's a sin. My eyes still hurt.

Chris Daughtry
I liked the Styx song, but it seemed as if he couldn't catch up to the music. The song was rocking and he was plodding right along behind it. Then, of course, the judges loved it. Now, I've never liked Chris, but even I had to admit he did a great job on that second song. Then, of course, the judges hated it.

Katharine McPhee
No one wants to hear "Against All Odds", no matter who sings it. Very bad. I had never heard the second song and I didn't care for it either. There's really nothing Kat can do for me at this point; I have decided to hate her.

Taylor Hicks
When he started on "Play That Funky Music", my household squealed and laughed and cheered. Everyone started really paying attention to the show for the first time since it started. When he sang "Something", I started wondering what it would be like to kiss him.

[koeeoaddi]

Kat: 1st song - boring; 2nd song - my favorite of the night. Several different voice timbres, none of which seemed out of place. Had some pizzazz, had some pathos.
Man, I loved Kat singing "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree." That might have been my favorite performance of the season. She goes right off my blah-list for choosing a KT Tunstall song in the first place.

[gigi]

Katharine McPhee
No one wants to hear "Against All Odds", no matter who sings it. Very bad. I had never heard the second song and I didn't care for it either. There's really nothing Kat can do for me at this point; I have decided to hate her.
"Against All Odds" was out and overplayed when I was in high school so I have an irrational dislike of it, and "Almost Paradise" too. So I couldn't be unbiased on that but still thought she wasn't very good.

You know how sometimes you hear a song for awhile and it's overplayed so you get tired of it, and sometimes you just hate it out of the box? "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" is the latter for me--grating, pretentious, urgh. So Kat struck out as far as I'm concerned.

As Simon said, pick great songs!!

And Taylor missed the lyric again during "Something". When you do a song everyone knows by heart, get the words exactly right.

[yellowval]

So I missed the first 45 minutes last night. I had to go out for dinner for my sister's birthday (stupid sisters). My husband was supposed to tape it, but he couldn't find a tape, even though I told him to go ahead and tape over the wedding video. ;) Thanks for being my eyes and ears everyone!

[bobkitty]

Okay, maybe I'm the only one who caught it..

When Chris started on "Renegade" Mr. Kitty looked at me and said "I wonder how he's going to handle that high note."

Then he mutilated the note, and after getting out of "cringe" mode, I replied "Apparently very, very, very badly."

Granted, it's a tough note to hit, and considering how raw his voice sounded on the second song, he was obviously not in peak performance, but..

Why wasn't he torn to shreds over that? Did everyone else miss it? It was so clear to me that I was amazed Simon didn't pounce on it.

[phungi]

Chris = I need to have his babies. I don't recognize the song but I thought it was a helluva performance. If that is a Styx song, then I need to go back and give them another listen, because that song rocked.

If you go back and listen to Styx's version, you will realize any rock you heard was all Chris.

DialIdol.com (http://www.dialidol.com/asp/predictions/Predictions.asp) has been very accurate, so my guess is that

Paris

is will be going home...

[Diogenes the Cynic]

Dial Idol rankings for those who are interested:

1. Taylor
2. Chris
3. Elliot
4. Katherine
5. Paris

Katherine and Paris are within the margin of error. So are Chris and Elliot. Taylor is way, way ahead of everybody.

[Dung Beetle]

I've never believed for a moment that Taylor could win, and I still don't...or do I? Damn this eternal-springing hope!

[shelbo]

I'm very gretzy and need a nap and/or vacation and/or margarita.
Ah, the pre-nap vacation margarita. Is there anything better in the world? :)

[shelbo]

For a while now, people have been griping that there hasn't been any showstopper, like Fantasia doing "Summertime" or Bo doing "In a Dream". Well, we finally saw one. Taylor, I salute you.

Man, I loved Kat singing "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree." That might have been my favorite performance of the season. She goes right off my blah-list for choosing a KT Tunstall song in the first place.

I liked Taylor's Beatles cover. I agreed with Simon - "Wow, you really do have a great voice." But I thought "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" was fabulous, this season's show stopper. (I've never heard it before, so I'm not offended that she didn't sing it sad, or annoyed that it's been over played - that's what I get for avoiding top 40 radio, I guess!) I "watched it back" twice, and it just got better. I'll watch it again tonight after work.

[shelbo]

I think Taylor may get a "Boomer Bump" by singing such a well loved song, and not totally butchering it.

[rockle]

Ah, the pre-nap vacation margarita. Is there anything better in the world?
I leave for Mexico in 17 days, 21½ hours ... when I get back, I'll let you know. Because, seriously, while I'm on vacation I plan to drink my weight in tequila and take a really lot of naps. Sigh. I can't wait to get on that airplane.

[Wile E]

I liked Taylor's Beatles cover. I agreed with Simon - "Wow, you really do have a great voice." But I thought "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" was fabulous, this season's show stopper. (I've never heard it before, so I'm not offended that she didn't sing it sad, or annoyed that it's been over played - that's what I get for avoiding top 40 radio, I guess!) I "watched it back" twice, and it just got better. I'll watch it again tonight after work.


I think a showstopper would be when everyone just goes "wow", even those people who aren't crazy about the singer. I listened to this song from the other room and was not impressed. I think that most of the appeal of the song was to Kat fans, fans of the song and guys who liked the idea of Kat on her knees.


I think that no matter who goes tonight and for the rest of the season, this is a final five group that will all have music careers better than most of the Idol seasons also-rans.

If Paris goes, it's because of poor song choices. When she finally brought it and showed the promise of that initial audition she was great but then she didn't keep it up and she didn't always pick the best songs. If she stays I hope she can pick those songs that showcase her voice. I wonder how she'd do with Summertime?

If Kat goes, I think it's because of the lack of personality. Eye-f***ing the camera is not personality. When Constantine did it, it was obnoxious until he started playing it for fun and not taking himself so seriously (like by doing a Partridge Family song) it wasn't so bad. When Kat does it, it seems like she's performing for a Beauty Pageant crowd - "Hey baby, look at me! I'm beautiful and I can sing. Vote for me!"

Elliot, well he seems like a sweet guy. His voice is steady, I don't think he's even had any major stinkers but he is also lacking in the personality and looks. Not that he's ugly, he's just not the type that people will squeal over. A good stylist (i.e., not the AI one), some veneers and a little more self-confidence and he should do okay.

Taylor, I like Taylor but even I am finding the stage antics a little tiring. I like that he has fun on stage but sometimes it seems like he's forcing it. He does have a good voice when he really uses it but I think he relies too much on the antics.

Chris is the one I want to win. I don't think they pimp him anymore than Kat. But if Chris goes it's only because some people think he never leaves his comfort zone (which I disagree with), however the second season winner, Rueben NEVER ever left his comfort zone and was never criticized for it or called on it. So I don't see a problem with it. However, Chris has done softer and mellower songs. I think what hurts him (and the other performers) is the AI band and sound tends to drown them out if they don't belt it out.


Does anyone know what next week's theme will be?

[gigi]

When Kat does it, it seems like she's performing for a Beauty Pageant crowd - "Hey baby, look at me! I'm beautiful and I can sing. Vote for me!"Except then she isn't even as articulate as a beauty pageant contestant. Both times Ryan asked her questions, not difficult ones just ones orchestrated for a routine friendly answer, she stumbled and said, duh, I don't know. Ultimately I care about the singing but it's nice to have the person at least string two sentences together too.

[gigi]

Does anyone know what next week's theme will be?
americanidol.com isn't telling yet, but they do mention that the American Idol tour is sponsored by Pop Tarts :D

[foolsguinea]

He's doing Styx? He's dead to me. This is even more unforgivable than Creed.I left the VCR taping & went upstairs during Paris's "Kiss." I came down to Chris singing "Renegade," which is a song I would want to sing if I were on a show such as this.

Obviously, my response was rather opposite yours.

[foolsguinea]

...Chris crawled right back into his comfy box tonight. He's gotta watch out for the instrument, though; maybe he should go back to David Foster or Andrea Bocelli for some voice lessons. Because he should be able to sing all day without a problem if he's using his voice right. Which he totally isn't.Yeah, that worried me, too. "I've been singing more than I ever have," he said. I went, huh? That really implies that he doesn't have the background, & is just now getting serious. I gave him a couple of votes, 'cos he sounded good to me tonight, but I was mostly backing Katharine (for her second performance, which was great) & Elliott (who I would like to win the whole thing).

As good as they are, I figured I could lose Paris or (gasp!) Taylor tonight.

[gigi]

Yeah, that worried me, too. "I've been singing more than I ever have," he said. I went, huh? That really implies that he doesn't have the background, & is just now getting serious.Yeah, they did show his band in the audience at one point but that doesn't mean they've gone any farther than the garage.

[Biggirl]

Did they say who came in 4th? Doesn't matter, I believe in dialicon.

[Biggirl]

Did they say who came in 4th? Doesn't matter, I believe in dialicon.
Whoa, I'm waaay ahead of myself. I thought that was the sing out. I never pay attention on Wednesday. This show should be 15 minutes long.

[JeffB]

Paris is gone. I'm not surprised, but I'll miss her.

Kat looked like she wanted to throw up when it was between her and Elliott.

[Wile E]

Except then she isn't even as articulate as a beauty pageant contestant. Both times Ryan asked her questions, not difficult ones just ones orchestrated for a routine friendly answer, she stumbled and said, duh, I don't know. Ultimately I care about the singing but it's nice to have the person at least string two sentences together too.

I've never heard beauty pageant contestants accused of being articulate before. ;)

I am sad to see Paris go but I don't think we've heard the last of her.

By the way, DialIdol was right on who left but apparently they were wrong on the bottom two.

[Biggirl]

I've never heard beauty pageant contestants accused of being articulate before. ;)

I am sad to see Paris go but I don't think we've heard the last of her.

By the way, DialIdol was right on who left but apparently they were wrong on the bottom two.
Yeah, but they were real close.

[Duckster]

Ultimately I care about the singing but it's nice to have the person at least string two sentences together too.

I guess that should apply to Paula as well.

[Rachael Rage]

Yeah, but they were real close. Is it possible to see the DialIdol results (after the voting period is over) without downloading the application? I'm not interested in participating in DialIdol, but I'm curious about the results. Shall I just Google for it? Or would someone volunteer to post each week? I guess these would be considered boxworthy spoilers...

[Duckster]

Is it possible to see the DialIdol results (after the voting period is over) without downloading the application? I'm not interested in participating in DialIdol, but I'm curious about the results. Shall I just Google for it? Or would someone volunteer to post each week? I guess these would be considered boxworthy spoilers...

Ask and you shall receive: http://dialidol.com/asp/predictions/Predictions.asp

[Rachael Rage]

I kind of figured Paris would be in the bottom 2, but I really thought Elliott would go home. But I have to admit I am glad he didn't. I like Paris and I hope she has a big career ahead of her. She's certainly got the chops, and her youth is an advantage.

On the other hand, I sort of feel this is Elliott's one big chance, and the farther he makes it, the more likely it is he'll have some sort of career after the PopTart tour. I used to want Chris and Kat to be the final two, but now I'm thinking Taylor and Elliott would make me happier.

Four left and three are guys! :eek:

[Mama Tiger]

The DialIdol predictions stay up for the full week; if you click on the hard to see Predictions tab, you can find out what the results for the last show were.

[Rachael Rage]

Ask and you shall receive: http://dialidol.com/asp/predictions/Predictions.asp Thank you, Duckster and Mama Tiger!

Now that I think about it, with the results so close (and probably getting closer each week) it's going to be tough to tell except for maybe the far-and-away favorties. Still, it's fun to look!

[Rilchiam]

So next week is Elvis. Taylor and Chris should sail right through. Elliott could do well with "Love Me Tender" or "Can't Help Falling In Love", but he'd probably be discouraged from doing two ballads, so this might be tricky for him. Katherine will probably yell her way through "Hound Dog and screech through "Suspicious Minds" (which is basically one verse repeated over and over, so the truncation won't hurt it). So it'll be him or her.

[marymargaret]

It will be interesting to see the song choices.

[rockle]

So next week is Elvis. Taylor and Chris should sail right through. Elliott could do well with "Love Me Tender" or "Can't Help Falling In Love", but he'd probably be discouraged from doing two ballads, so this might be tricky for him. Katherine will probably yell her way through "Hound Dog and screech through "Suspicious Minds" (which is basically one verse repeated over and over, so the truncation won't hurt it). So it'll be him or her.
It is? Nice belated birthday present for me, because I loves me some Elvis! Maybe this is why nobody did any Elvis songs during 50's week ... perhaps they knew in advance of this theme.

I hope that one of the requirements is that everybody has to do one up-tempo song and one ballad, although not necessarily in any particular order. Not sure where a song like "It's Now or Never" would fit in, though.

[yellowval]

I'm sad to see Paris go, but at this point, it really could be anyone. They're all very talented and worthy of still being there. That said, I think the best thing that could have happened to Elliott last night was to be in the bottom two. That means his fans should vote extra hard next week and most likely guarantee him a spot in the top three. I think Kat will go next week, followed by Elliott, and Chris and Taylor will be the final two.

Elvis, huh? I think I can handle that!

[Biggirl]

Oooh, is Elvis gonna sing? 'Cause I'd pay to see that.


No wait, on second thought maybe not.

[gigi]

I've never heard beauty pageant contestants accused of being articulate before. ;) :) Articulate in the sense that they have memorized a number of good answers and can trot them out and seem sincere. I think that's all Ryan expects from the contestants.


I really respect Paris's voice but I am relieved that she is gone. When they had the retrospective of the outfits and hair she has worn it was a skeevefest.
It just really distracted me from her excellent voice. Weird how she didn't really cry and just kept that big smile on--must be the showbiz family background.

Oooh, "Always on My Mind". If someone does a good version of that it will be excellent. If it's butchered, grrr.

[KarlGrenze]

I'm sorry to know that Paris left, in my opinion she was better than Kat. Kat should leave, please.

If it is Elvis, I want someone singing "In the ghetto", just because of the chorus.

[ouryL]

Let's see...

are Paris' voters gonna vote for Elliot, now that she's gone? :dubious:


NOPE


Bye, bye Ellie Baby!! :(

[Wile E]

Let's see...

are Paris' voters gonna vote for Elliot, now that she's gone? :dubious:


NOPE


Bye, bye Ellie Baby!! :(


I voted for Paris and Chris. Since Paris is gone I won't be splitting my votes. I can't speak for other Paris voters but I doubt they will all go to one person.

[kaylasdad99]

:)
Oooh, "Always on My Mind". If someone does a good version of that it will be excellent. If it's butchered, grrr.They're going to Graceland to perform covers of Willie Nelson tunes? Cool.

I want Taylor to do On the Road Again. And Elliott can do Skylark.

:D

[gigi]

They're going to Graceland to perform covers of Willie Nelson tunes? Cool.

I want Taylor to do On the Road Again. And Elliott can do Skylark.

:D
:p Growing up I always knew the Elvis version as the "official" one and I didn't like Willie Nelson much. Now that my tastes have changed I luv the Willie Nelson (official) version and the Elvis one sounds overproduced and hokey.

Did Elvis write any of his own songs?

[lissener]

I fear, judging from reactions here and around, that Chris will win. This will sadden me. How will it actually improve the universe to have another grunge bleater in the top 40? I realize that American Idol is not the place to seek originality and artistry, but still, this will sadden me.

[Dung Beetle]

I agree, lissener. I have believed since the beginning that Chris will win. Back when the judges' opinions mattered, I think they kept him in because they knew they could sell him. Now that it's up to the viewers...apparently people still want to hear that stuff. Whole radio stations devoted to it and whatnot...*sigh*

[Dolores Reborn]

But, but...just look at him! How can that be sad? ;)

[Mama Tiger]

Chris does absolutely nothing for me either in looks or in singing. Of course, I'm showing my age, badly, when I say that.

I actually don't mind if he wins, though. I think he probably is more marketable than most of the others, and frankly, their careers are headed in different directions in any case. Plus Chris wants it more than anyone else, I think.

So, bottom line, he can win, but I'll be quite blah about his victory.

[lissener]

It's too bad that two most musically sophisticated, and original (as far as that goes; no true originals at this stage of the game) contestants, Elliott and Kat, are just too grown up, stylistically, for the bulgy part of the voting bell curve. I hope they get decent careers out of this.

[foolsguinea]

Well, I like Kat & Elliott.

I am so disgusted with Taylor this week. Was I supposed to like that noise? And he sang a song older than he is for the "currently on the charts" song. I guess it's not quite cheating, since the show let him do it, but it is cheap, & cheesy. Instead of having to learn a new song like everybody else, he fell back on a standard. Yeah, I love Geo. Harrison too, but...I take it back. He cheated. If I were in a competition like this, I'd expect everyone here to call me on that kind of sneakiness, so I'm calling him on it.

Paris was technically good, but I'm not convinced she really wanted it. And when she was glurgy, it was ick. When she tried to be young & hip, she went smutty. So, OK.

[rockle]

I fear, judging from reactions here and around, that Chris will win. This will sadden me.
Wow. This will sadden you? Gas is a squillion dollars a gallon and Tom Cruise is still making movies, but this will sadden you? Not to be entirely flip, but when was the last time you took a vacation? I mean, my God, it's just American Idol.

[C K Dexter Haven]

::: Moderator pounds gavel for attention::: Rockle, your comments are out of order. You're commenting on the poster, not on the TV show, and that's not what discussion in Cafe Society is about.

You might go to Forum Rules: PLEASE READ (http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=343601) and note Post #3.

And, we've been through this before. Art/entertainment arouse emotions, otherwise we wouldn't watch them or care about them. "It's only a TV show" or "It's only an opera" or "it's only a movie," doesn't mean that you can't cry or laugh or be frightened or be moved by it. Scolding someone or making fun of someone because they had emotional reactions to some art/entertainment is (a) personally insulting, hence a rules violation; and (b) extraordinarly insensitive, which is not a rules violation but is pretty much poor manners.

Different people react differently to art/entertainment. I personally find Idol silly and unwatchable, but that's me. Others find it deeply engrossing and entertaining. You are certainly permitted (and encouraged) to post about your reactions, but commenting on someone else's reactions by saying "Get a life" is not acceptable.

[rockle]

Sorry, Dex. And lissener. And everyone else, for that matter. I do know better, and I am sorry.