# American Idol 3/21 - the 1950s **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 21, 2006, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-3-21-the-1950s/349270 "2006-03-21T12:31:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2006, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-3-21-the-1950s/349270/101 "2006-03-22T02:55:06Z")
Paula counted the “Will You Marry Me, Ace” signs because she’s hiring hit men. . . ---
**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:** [March 22, 2006, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-3-21-the-1950s/349270/102 "2006-03-22T02:57:31Z")
Is Sam the little kid? ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2006, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-3-21-the-1950s/349270/103 "2006-03-22T02:57:54Z")
My top two Mandisa Paris Bottom Kevin Ace Who will be gone? Either Lisa or Elliot. Because there’s something wrong with America. ---
**Author:** ![JeffB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeffb/32/188_2.png) [@JeffB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JeffB)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2006, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-3-21-the-1950s/349270/104 "2006-03-22T02:57:59Z")
> [@Eleusis](#): > > I don’t think Ace sucked _that bad_ tonight. He’s done much worse. For me, it wasn’t so much that he sucked, but that he ruined a great song. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGrenze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dbc845/32.png) [@KarlGrenze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGrenze)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2006, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-3-21-the-1950s/349270/105 "2006-03-22T02:58:33Z")
You think Paula wants Ace? I would picture her more with Chris… ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2006, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-3-21-the-1950s/349270/106 "2006-03-22T02:59:34Z")
Sam is the sloth. From Ice Age. ---
**Author:** ![rockle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/73ab20/32.png) [@rockle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rockle)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2006, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-3-21-the-1950s/349270/107 "2006-03-22T02:59:42Z")
I watching the review, I predict that the Bottom Three this week will be Bucky, Lisa, and Taylor. Almost definitely Bucky, though. He got seriously outgunned this week. And the Bottom Three worst dressed this week are Lisa, Kellie, and Taylor. My Lord in Heaven, the wardrobe mistress should be shot for letting them appear on television dressed like that, even if they are “empowered” to dress themselves. ---
**Author:** ![JeffB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeffb/32/188_2.png) [@JeffB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JeffB)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2006, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-3-21-the-1950s/349270/108 "2006-03-22T03:00:25Z")
My order: Chris Katherine Paris Mandisa Elliot Kelly Lisa Taylor Bucky Ace Kevin But I agree with **Biggirl** that it won’t be Ace or Kevin going home. I think it will be Lisa. ---
**Author:** ![LilyoftheValley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/54ee81/32.png) [@LilyoftheValley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilyoftheValley)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2006, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-3-21-the-1950s/349270/109 "2006-03-22T03:00:40Z")
> [@rockle](#): > > And the Bottom Three worst dressed this week are Lisa, Kellie, and Taylor. My Lord in Heaven, the wardrobe mistress should be shot for letting them appear on television dressed like that, even if they are “empowered” to dress themselves. How can you ignore the clothing disaster that was my main cuddlemuffin Elliott? ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2006, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-3-21-the-1950s/349270/110 "2006-03-22T03:00:43Z")
> [@KarlGrenze](#): > > You think Paula wants Ace? I would picture her more with Chris… I imagine she imagines being the meat in an Ace and Chris sammich. An Ace, Chris and vicodin sammich. ---
**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:** [March 22, 2006, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-3-21-the-1950s/349270/111 "2006-03-22T03:04:52Z")
I’m depressed. Chris robbed the R&B from Walk the Line, and Kellie robbed the soul from Walking After Midnight. ---
**Author:** ![KSO](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@KSO](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KSO)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2006, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-3-21-the-1950s/349270/112 "2006-03-22T03:06:20Z")
My meaningless rankings: 1. Katharine 2. Chris, although I am getting bored with the “alt rocker” schtick, especially since it appears that none of the schtick is original 3. Paris 4. Mandisa 5. Taylor–this is bias from past weeks coming through–he probably should be lower 6. Elliott–he bores me 7. Lisa–see Elliott 8. Ace–he’s in this spot by default, because 9 through 11 were, incredibly, worse. 9. Kellie–can’t wait for her to leave 10. Kevin–way out of his league 11. Bucky–he blew tonight ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2006, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-3-21-the-1950s/349270/113 "2006-03-22T03:14:52Z")
If it’s Bucky that goes, I’ll apologize to America. ---
**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:** [March 22, 2006, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-3-21-the-1950s/349270/114 "2006-03-22T03:18:06Z")
It’s not like Bucky’s going to win. It’s just a matter of whether he leaves this week or next week. I feel like it’s his time. Kevin is this seasons WTF??? candidate. Maybe that VTFW site is more powerful than we think. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2006, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-3-21-the-1950s/349270/115 "2006-03-22T03:31:23Z")
Rick’s Rankings: This week’s Pauler Drunkenness Index: 7/10 1. CHRIS DAUGHTRY (9/10) - Another rock performance, but at least original. I actually found myself thinking, “I wish I could buy this record,” always a good sign. 2. KATHARINE MCPHEE (8/10) - Still gorgeous. Still holding herself back a little. She seems robotic to me, but you can’t deny the voice, the presentation skill, and the looks. 3. MANDISA (8/10) - Fine performance, and she looked great. 4. PARIS BENNETT (8/10) - As my scores suggest, you can pretty much mix up the 2-4 finishers here and I wouldn’t argue. Paris has a huge, huge voice for a 16-year-old. She’s fabulous and versatile and I think she could win. 5. ELLIOTT YAMIN (7/10) - Still an excellent vocalist. Still boring. He has absolutely no zing to him at all. Which hasn’t stopped some people from winning - see Clarkson, Kelly - but it’s a big handicap in a field this talented. Was dressed like the guy who fixes the copiers in my office, which is not a popular look in the music stores. 6. TAYLOR HICKS (6/10) - Absolutely fucking awful song choice. He’s picked a LOT of bad songs, but this was the worst by far, a song without a discernible chorus or structure that gave him nothing to impress with. He sang it as well as it could have been sung, but it’s like a figure skater doing a perfect performance only he never attempted any triple or quadruple jumps or did any hard spins. Taylor is losing momentum fast; will be bottom 3 in two weeks, and will be voted out in seventh place, if he doesn’t pick better songs. 7. KELLIE PICKLER (5/10) - Pretty good performance, but fuck, she looked awful. Her makeup was Strawberry Shortcake special - whoa on the blush, sister! - and my Christ, that outfit. You’re singing a sultry song, a sad song, and you dress like you’re going to the summer employees’ picnic for a trucking company? 8. ACE YOUNG (4/10) - I can’t add anything to what KSO said. 9. LISA TUCKER (4/10) - Technically competent, but a stupid song choice and boring as shit. Although I’m ranking her only third from last, she’s dead meat. She’ll be back in high school on Thursday. Immensely talented but she seems to be losing interest in the proceedings, so in that sense, she deserves a ticket home. At least Bucky and Kevin act like they want to be here. 10. BUCKY COVINGTON (2/10) - Disgraceful. If he makes it past this week, which he probably will, he’ll be the least musically talented Top 10 contestant in show history. 11. KEVIN COVAIS (1/10) - Ridiculous. A complete joke being strung along by people who know better but think he’s cuter to watch than Bucky et al. He hits the notes but other than that it’s just comical. Nice kid and all, but come on. ---
**Author:** ![rockle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/73ab20/32.png) [@rockle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rockle)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2006, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-3-21-the-1950s/349270/116 "2006-03-22T03:52:03Z")
> [@LilyoftheValley](#): > > How can you ignore the clothing disaster that was my main cuddlemuffin Elliott? > [@RickJay](#): > > ELLIOTT YAMIN … Was dressed like the guy who fixes the copiers in my office, which is not a popular look in the music stores. I did miss him, and I apologize. Moral of the Story: Maybe it isn’t so bad that Bo saved most of his clothing allowance for the $700 orange sunglasses last season, after all. ---
**Author:** ![DKW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dkw/32/3118_2.png) [@DKW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DKW)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2006, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-3-21-the-1950s/349270/117 "2006-03-22T07:08:02Z")
Did anyone else think that there was something wrong with Barry Manilow’s eyes on _every_ album cover they showed? Just asking. Pretty much another don’t-screw-up week, so I won’t bother rating everybody. **Mandisa** : More of the same. I stand by my previous comments. She’s highly entertaining, no question, but I just don’t see her outlasting Paris, let alone winning it all. **Paris Bennett** : I may have said it before, but _damn_, she’s good. She’s one of the very few AI contestants that I’d actually pay money to listen too. I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if it came down to her and Chris. **Chris Daughtry** : He was kinda coasting, but that’s understandable. The 50’s were obviously _way_ out of his element, and he was just playing not to lose. It’s still way to early to be reaching for the NOS button, if you know what I’m saying, so I’m not worried about him. **Lisa Tucker** : What was _up_ with that song? Yes, I’m familiar with it, and the key does not jump once, let alone three freaking times. Nb., when Paula Abdul says that you “have a great career ahead of you”, that means one thing…dead contestant walking. **Kevin Covais** : Got his second wind, and not a moment too soon. Ain’t winning this thing or coming close, but a spot on the tour should be enough of a victory for him. **Elliott Yamin** : What can I say…he nailed it. It’s remarkable; of the remaining contestants, he’s the only one where there hasn’t been one performance I didn’t enjoy. Wishing him the best wherever he ends up. **Kellie Pickler** : Ugh. Is it just me, or is her schtick getting _really_ painful to watch? Shame, too, since I think she actually did okay with the song. **Ace Young** : Hot dang, I expected him to be lousy, and he wasn’t. Missed a few notes, but otherwise a perfectly decent performance. Updated not-gonna-win-pool: Mandisa, Kellie, Ace, Kevin, Bucky, Lisa My current top three: 1. Paris (looks for all the world like she deserves it) 2. Chris (good enough to win, but let’s see if he can step it up) 3. Taylor (hasn’t looked bad once and really knows how to work a crowd) On the face of it, it looks like Lisa’s going. She never had a ton of support to begin with, she got tripped up by the song, and even I could tell that her heart isn’t in it anymore. Frankly, I _want_ her to go. She needs to go home, finish high school, reflect on the good times, and decide if she really wants a singing career. The last thing she needs now is a long, draining tour to take even more fun out of her life. On a similar note, I desperately hope that Simon Cowell leaves after this season. It’s plainly obvious that he’s sick of this crap, and we still have a long way to go. Like I said in another thread, find someone who actually wants the job. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2006, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-3-21-the-1950s/349270/118 "2006-03-22T07:24:51Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > 1. CHRIS DAUGHTRY (9/10) - Another rock performance, but at least original. Except, [not](http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=ADFEAEE47E17DC49A97220C7932B43C0A67FA458FE4AED81106E495AD1A930499F0563F240A6C6CFB3E577B479A9B32CAE5B0CD9C9E9468DA1&sql=33:wa9usj9ya3pg). I agree with all the other rankings, even if not the reasoning, but I put Chris in 6th place behind Taylor. I find him boring and predictable, and I am tired as hell of him freaking _bleating_ at me. ---
**Author:** ![kezami](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eb8c5e/32.png) [@kezami](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kezami)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2006, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-3-21-the-1950s/349270/119 "2006-03-22T07:48:24Z")
The best tonight was Paris followed very closely by Katharine. If I had to rate the guys I would say that Elliot was the best singer but he suffers (as much as I enjoy his voice) from wooden performer syndrome. He didn’t heed Barry’s advice which would serve him well all through the competition, he needs to improve his phrasing and stop just ‘singing’ the song pitch perfectly. He needs to relax more too, maybe try walking with the mike or something. Kelly was quite good and Mandisa was not bad. Lisa should be saying goodbye, along with Ace and Bucky. Kevin actually sang very well and should stick around a while. What’s with Taylor and his Steve Martin ‘happy feet’? The song he chose was repetitive and boring, not the vehicle to showcase his supposedly great voice. Chris sounds the same with every song, too edgy for my taste. I haven’t warmed to his style of singing. ---
**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 22, 2006, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-3-21-the-1950s/349270/120 "2006-03-22T08:03:47Z")
Of everyone thus far, I agree with **DKW** the most. But because I took notes, I’ve got to share (in chronological order): **Mandisa** - She’s got power but there’s nothing pretty about her voice at all. All bluster, no goosebumps. Looks fantastic though - hair/makeup/dress, all great. **Bucky** - He doesn’t look like he feels comfortable in himself. Sings with a mouth full of broken glass. Just okay. Randy’s advice: “Try to sing your best vocal.” Well, duh. Bottom 3. **Paris** - Only flawless performance of the night. Just perfect. Beautiful dress, too. Ryan was right on with his surprisingly eloquent praise. **Chris** - I wrote: “Oof. What the hell?..Ill-conceived.” The camera pulled away at the big power ending, a weird choice that won’t help him. I’m uncomfortable that everyone keeps telling him to stay the _same_. I like him, but I’m getting bored with it. **Katharine** - Her voice is absolutely the most interesting and nuanced of this competition. She makes everything sound great. _Finally_ a flattering dress! She’s almost TOO pretty. To the extent it could alienate voters, even. **Taylor** - America is not going to get excited about that. Absolutely boring song; he’s performing, not singing. [Pauler proves she is nucking futz by insisting, loudly, that Simon can’t dance. What? So? Shut up. Also, I hate the audience for booing every single fucking word out of Simon’s mouth. Is it because he’s right pretty much all the time?] **Lisa** - I wrote: “She’s not even trying any more.” Outfit by Old Navy. Technically great, but dead boring. Bottom 3, and probably out. **Kevin** - This performance will keep him in the show another week. He made all the right choices and hit the right notes. **Elliot** - OK, so I liked his outfit. The yellow shirt and big tie worked for me. Biggest problem: he lacks the confidence he needs to beat out the other talent in this competition, and to overcome his less-than pop star looks. He might just avoid the bottom 3 this week, but if he doesn’t amp up the attitude and deliver more powerhouse vocals, he’s going home sooner than he deserves. **The Pick** - I fully admit I’m biased against Pick. I don’t like her, full stop. This week’s sins: Makeup = appalling. Outfit = horrible. Singing = pretty good, but her eyes are dead and cold, like a shark’s. Shut up, Pickler, go away. But she won’t, not for a while. **Ace** - Is he still here? Oh, Ace. The best thing about you is your hair, and someone put a lot of glop in it. He has utterly lost the eeeeeee! factor. Vocally much better than he’s done lately, but no “wow.” The quiet bits are ick. Bottom 3. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-3-21-the-1950s/349270.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-3-21-the-1950s/349270.md?page=7)