# American Idol 2/25-26 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 25, 2009, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-2-25-26/487406 "2009-02-25T19:26:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2009, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-2-25-26/487406/121 "2009-02-27T02:01:23Z")
Liked Adam a lot less tonight. Now for an _Office_ rerun. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2009, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-2-25-26/487406/122 "2009-02-27T02:09:07Z")
I don’t like him at all. He’s cute (if you like that type) and talented enough, but when I watch him, all I can think is “What’s wrong with you that you needed Idol to get a start?” He seems prepackaged already. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2009, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-2-25-26/487406/123 "2009-02-27T03:06:14Z")
After watching Adam Lambert’s performance from last night, I am playing all of my David Cook songs to remind myself of everything he was that David Cook Lite is not (and yes, I get the irony of calling someone who won AI the real thing and someone who is a pale imitation of him the Lite version. 😃 ) One of the three put through really surprises me - must have been the teen girl vote that put such a forgettable performer but cute guy through. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2009, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-2-25-26/487406/124 "2009-02-27T03:59:20Z")
The problem with Adam is we see absolutely nothing of who he is when he sings. He executes things well. He manages to be engaging and exciting enough. But he doesn’t even try to put his own spin on things. And he never lets himself get vulnerable. He’s just going through the motions really well. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2009, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-2-25-26/487406/125 "2009-02-27T04:14:38Z")
> [@Washoe](#): > > Oh good—I thought I was the only one. If I met him on the street, I would most likely size him up as a possible predatory sociopath. I think Adam’s niche in show business will be a female impersonator. ---
**Author:** ![Rachael\_Rage](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71c47a/32.png) [@Rachael\_Rage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachael_Rage)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2009, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-2-25-26/487406/126 "2009-02-27T07:08:51Z")
> [@even\_sven](#): > > The problem with Adam is we see absolutely nothing of who he is when he sings. He executes things well. He manages to be engaging and exciting enough. But he doesn’t even try to put his own spin on things. And he never lets himself get vulnerable. He’s just going through the motions really well. I feel the same way about Danny Gokey. ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2009, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-2-25-26/487406/127 "2009-02-27T13:15:05Z")
In light of how the final decision went, I may have to stop watching now. Not in a spiteful, fight for the cause-y sort of way, but just in a “I’ll no longer be entertained by this show the way I was by Norman”, let-downy sort of way. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2009, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-2-25-26/487406/128 "2009-02-27T13:38:14Z")
> [@corkboard](#): > > In light of how the final decision went, I may have to stop watching now. Not in a spiteful, fight for the cause-y sort of way, but just in a “I’ll no longer be entertained by this show the way I was by Norman”, let-downy sort of way. Same here. I have to admit, it’s a bit of a relief. This show takes too big a chunk of my time. But if Norman gets back in as a wild card, I’d watch again for however long it takes him to get voted off for good. Or win. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2009, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-2-25-26/487406/129 "2009-02-27T14:14:02Z")
> [@even\_sven](#): > > The problem with Adam is we see absolutely nothing of who he is when he sings. He executes things well. He manages to be engaging and exciting enough. But he doesn’t even try to put his own spin on things. And he never lets himself get vulnerable. He’s just going through the motions really well. I think “soulless” is the word we’re looking for. Chris got the Archuleta vote. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2009, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-2-25-26/487406/130 "2009-02-27T18:22:08Z")
> [@AuntiePam](#): > > I think “soulless” is the word we’re looking for. > > Chris got the Archuleta vote. I think you’ve hit the nail on the head (for all the performers who are through so far, with the possible exception of Alexis Grace, but it’s too early to tell about her). Allison is only 16, so I don’t expect a lot of deep soul from her, but the rest of them are cardboard cut-outs of singers. Which, in all fairness, is what AI is aiming for, but I keep hoping for someone with a little depth to slip through the cracks. This doesn’t look like the year for it. ---
**Author:** ![Polerius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d78d45/32.png) [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2009, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-2-25-26/487406/131 "2009-02-27T18:33:49Z")
> [@even\_sven](#): > > The problem with Adam is we see absolutely nothing of who he is when he sings. The problem with Adam is that his voice is annoying ---
**Author:** ![Polerius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d78d45/32.png) [@Polerius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polerius)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2009, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-2-25-26/487406/132 "2009-02-27T18:38:38Z")
> [@corkboard](#): > > In light of how the final decision went, I may have to stop watching now. Not in a spiteful, fight for the cause-y sort of way, but just in a “I’ll no longer be entertained by this show the way I was by Norman”, let-downy sort of way. To all the people who were entertained by Norman: Would you pay money to go see him perform as Norman? Are you guys enjoying his shtick only as it applies to AI, or do you actually think he is that entertaining, even if he were to put on a show of his own, outside of AI? I personally don’t find him entertaining at all, but I’m curious about whether people who do find him entertaining are specifically referring to the fact that he is doing this under AI, that he is “mocking AI” in some way, and they are enjoying that aspect of it. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2009, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-2-25-26/487406/133 "2009-02-27T19:02:38Z")
> [@Polerius](#): > > The problem with Adam is that his voice is annoying And his facial expressions. And his hair. And the way he uses really, really cheesy, over-the-top dramatics when singing a simple song. ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2009, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-2-25-26/487406/134 "2009-02-27T19:10:42Z")
> [@Polerius](#): > > To all the people who were entertained by Norman: Would you pay money to go see him perform as Norman? > > Are you guys enjoying his shtick only as it applies to AI, or do you actually think he is that entertaining, even if he were to put on a show of his own, outside of AI? > > I personally don’t find him entertaining at all, but I’m curious about whether people who do find him entertaining are specifically referring to the fact that he is doing this under AI, that he is “mocking AI” in some way, and they are enjoying that aspect of it. I wouldn’t pay to see him, but I wouldn’t pay to see any of them. I don’t necessarily think he should win the title of this year’s “American Idol”. I’m just entertained by him, and I’m really over the whole “singing is my life” mindset that most of the competitors have. He goes out there to have fun. I don’t think even he thinks he’s right for the show, but he holds a mirror up to the pomposity, which is something the show has needed for a long time. ---
**Author:** ![Lama\_Pacos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Lama\_Pacos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lama_Pacos)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2009, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-2-25-26/487406/135 "2009-03-01T01:55:23Z")
God, watching this season so far has been like putting pins in my eyes. Everyone I liked has gotten cut and everyone that puts me to sleep progresses! Some of my favorites were Anoop, Jackie (no one else was feeling the love, huh?), Mishavonna, and Nick/Norman. I even liked Megan-- I guess you have to hand it to Idol’s repertoire for making “Put Your Records On” seem like an exciting song. Instead we have dreary hams like Adam and Danny, and non-entities like Kris. I think the only people so far who haved moved forward who I’m actually interested to see perform again are Alexis and Allison. ---
**Author:** ![Rachael\_Rage](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/71c47a/32.png) [@Rachael\_Rage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachael_Rage)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2009, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-2-25-26/487406/136 "2009-03-01T02:45:38Z")
> [@Polerius](#): > > To all the people who were entertained by Norman: Would you pay money to go see him perform as Norman? I don’t go out of may way to see that many performers, even those I really like, so would I pay to see a Norman Gentle concert? Well, sure. I wouldn’t travel across state lines to follow his tour, but plunking down $20 to see him play a gig at Joe’s Pub or Galapagos? I could completely see myself doing that. In addition to purchasing Norman’s Wednesday performance on iTunes, I’ve bought a couple of other _Idol_ contestant albums and several more singles, but in most cases the records are enough for me. I don’t feel I would get a significantly richer experience seeing David Cook or Elliot Yamin live. Nick/Norman is the exception. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2009, 9:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-2-25-26/487406/137 "2009-03-01T09:27:00Z")
My take on Norman You don’t have to be a great singer, but simply one of the three best that night. Forgetting the schtick, he was still better than the singers before him and was one of the best 5 of the night. He was purposefully nasally but occasionally he dropped out of it and was pretty good. ---
**Author:** ![cactus\_waltz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@cactus\_waltz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cactus_waltz)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2009, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-2-25-26/487406/138 "2009-03-01T11:47:27Z")
I can see how Adam has the necessary singing “chops”, as it were, but seriously – I really hate that song choice. How can \*anybody \*in the show be criticized for not being “current” or “personal” when Adam just skates by on rock standards? They said Kai was boring and safe for doing a Motown song from 1966 when Adam got huge praise doing Satisfaction, one of the all-time most iconic rock themes and which came out at the same time as Kai’s song (actually, it’s one year older). Can’t the judges just be honest and say “Sorry Kai, Adam has more sex appeal than you”? ---
**Author:** ![David\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/51bf81/32.png) [@David\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_B)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2009, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-2-25-26/487406/139 "2009-03-01T14:30:11Z")
> [@SaintCad](#): > > You don’t have to be a great singer, but simply one of the three best that night. Actually, you don’t even have to be that. You just have to be on of the the top three vote-receivers of the night, for whatever reason. Look at Michael Sarver from the first group – I don’t think he was one of the best three that night, but his back story got him the votes he needed. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-2-25-26/487406.md?page=6)