# American Idol 2/8: Welcome to Hollywood!!! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 9, 2006, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-2-8-welcome-to-hollywood/343627 "2006-02-09T00:33:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![LilyoftheValley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/54ee81/32.png) [@LilyoftheValley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilyoftheValley)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2006, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-2-8-welcome-to-hollywood/343627/41 "2006-02-09T02:08:55Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Walter\_Windchill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Walter\_Windchill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walter_Windchill)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2006, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-2-8-welcome-to-hollywood/343627/42 "2006-02-09T02:10:26Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Walter\_Windchill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Walter\_Windchill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walter_Windchill)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2006, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-2-8-welcome-to-hollywood/343627/43 "2006-02-09T02:12:39Z")
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! ---
**Author:** ![LilyoftheValley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/54ee81/32.png) [@LilyoftheValley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilyoftheValley)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2006, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-2-8-welcome-to-hollywood/343627/44 "2006-02-09T02:13:28Z")
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! > [@Biggirl](#): > > 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! ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2006, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-2-8-welcome-to-hollywood/343627/45 "2006-02-09T02:31:19Z")
I missed what happened with the basketball girl (Ayla?). Did she get cut? ---
**Author:** ![Walter\_Windchill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Walter\_Windchill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walter_Windchill)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2006, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-2-8-welcome-to-hollywood/343627/46 "2006-02-09T02:41:47Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#): > > 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. ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2006, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-2-8-welcome-to-hollywood/343627/47 "2006-02-09T03:20:04Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![marymargaret](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@marymargaret](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marymargaret)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2006, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-2-8-welcome-to-hollywood/343627/48 "2006-02-09T03:38:17Z")
I can’t wait for the group performances. ---
**Author:** ![Millit\_the\_Frail](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/51bf81/32.png) [@Millit\_the\_Frail](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Millit_the_Frail)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2006, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-2-8-welcome-to-hollywood/343627/49 "2006-02-09T04:03:03Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Amaranta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Amaranta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amaranta)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2006, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-2-8-welcome-to-hollywood/343627/50 "2006-02-09T04:12:54Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2006, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-2-8-welcome-to-hollywood/343627/51 "2006-02-09T06:16:35Z")
I liked Paris and Lisa Tucker a lot. I cannot stand those mouthy B-twin boys. Their attitude is going to cost them. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2006, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-2-8-welcome-to-hollywood/343627/52 "2006-02-09T10:59:46Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2006, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-2-8-welcome-to-hollywood/343627/53 "2006-02-09T11:33:51Z")
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.) ---
**Author:** ![rockle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/73ab20/32.png) [@rockle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rockle)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2006, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-2-8-welcome-to-hollywood/343627/54 "2006-02-09T13:42:04Z")
> [@LilyoftheValley](#): > > 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 …_ ---
**Author:** ![yellowval](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/919ad9/32.png) [@yellowval](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowval)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2006, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-2-8-welcome-to-hollywood/343627/55 "2006-02-09T14:22:09Z")
> [@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. 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! ---
**Author:** ![Reloy3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c68b51/32.png) [@Reloy3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reloy3)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2006, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-2-8-welcome-to-hollywood/343627/56 "2006-02-09T14:58:05Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Walter\_Windchill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Walter\_Windchill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walter_Windchill)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2006, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-2-8-welcome-to-hollywood/343627/57 "2006-02-09T15:27:36Z")
Is that Chris, the one Liberal likes? I’m not blown away by him, myself, but apparently he makes the finals. ---
**Author:** ![yellowval](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/919ad9/32.png) [@yellowval](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowval)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2006, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-2-8-welcome-to-hollywood/343627/58 "2006-02-09T15:32:03Z")
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! ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2006, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-2-8-welcome-to-hollywood/343627/59 "2006-02-09T15:56:52Z")
> [@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! 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. ---
**Author:** ![Walter\_Windchill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/eb8c5e/32.png) [@Walter\_Windchill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walter_Windchill)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2006, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-2-8-welcome-to-hollywood/343627/60 "2006-02-09T16:01:35Z")
> [@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! 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](http://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](http://www.taylorhicks.com) is evidence that he was compeled to take it down, and the presence of sites like [www.garetjohnsononline.com](http://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. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-2-8-welcome-to-hollywood/343627.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-2-8-welcome-to-hollywood/343627.md?page=4)