# American Idol 3/25: Who's it gonna be? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 25, 2003, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-3-25-whos-it-gonna-be/164099 "2003-03-25T19:57:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**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:** [March 26, 2003, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-3-25-whos-it-gonna-be/164099/21 "2003-03-26T06:03:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Convict \* > \*\*I guess I’m the only one who didn’t like Ruben’s performance tonight. There was something missing this week IMO. Maybe it was the song choice, I don’t know. \*\* It didn’t sound quite right to me either. Sort of like Teddy Pendergrass singing a Lynyrd Skynyrd song, if you know what I mean. Still a little too much urban motown in Ruben’s voice for that particular song. But don’t get me wrong - Ruben has a fantastic voice - I think he can sing anything he wants. He probably just needs a vocal coach to get him out of his urban rut. It’s interesting how everyone hears performances differently. I thought Julia was having big trouble holding onto just about every note she sang, and that Carmen was her usual talentless self. I _do not_ hear _anything_ I like in Carmen’s voice - that bleating vibrato of hers is just nails on a chalkboard to me. ---
**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:** [March 26, 2003, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-3-25-whos-it-gonna-be/164099/22 "2003-03-26T06:04:56Z")
Just a thought - if America wasn’t in full-on super-patriotism mode, how long would Josh have lasted just based on his talent and performances? I wonder. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Cheatem\_Undhow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/13edae/32.png) [@Dewey\_Cheatem\_Undhow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Cheatem_Undhow)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-3-25-whos-it-gonna-be/164099/23 "2003-03-26T07:44:50Z")
I was sitting there wondering if Ruben knew who the “in Birmingham the love the Guv’nah” line was referring to, and why. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Cheatem\_Undhow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/13edae/32.png) [@Dewey\_Cheatem\_Undhow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Cheatem_Undhow)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-3-25-whos-it-gonna-be/164099/24 "2003-03-26T07:47:15Z")
Er… “…the **y** love…” ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-3-25-whos-it-gonna-be/164099/25 "2003-03-26T12:53:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Dewey Cheatem Undhow \* > \*\*I was sitting there wondering if Ruben knew who the “in Birmingham the love the Guv’nah” line was referring to, and why. 😃 \*\* Is it Rixon? I heard the word “Watergate” in there. ---
**Author:** ![Fingolfin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eada6e/32.png) [@Fingolfin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fingolfin)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-3-25-whos-it-gonna-be/164099/26 "2003-03-26T13:27:30Z")
Son of a…!! I can’t believe no one sang an **Eagles** song!! **Desperado, Take It Easy** …anything would have been great! I think I heard two or three songs that would qualify as **Country-Rock**. [sigh] At least Ruben broke out a Skynard song. The show was very disappointing for me. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Hobie\_the\_One](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e99b99/32.png) [@Hobie\_the\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hobie_the_One)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-3-25-whos-it-gonna-be/164099/27 "2003-03-26T13:48:16Z")
Just a couple of comments. I’m not going to go through everybody. Josh, lose the hat. It was like following the bouncing brim. Trenyce, “… I need you like murder…” Learn the words to the chorus. Julia, If you are that pissed off about being here, please go home. Her facial expressions just scare the hell out of me. I think she’s ready to go postal any second now. Kim Locke, you have redeemend yourself from several mediocre performances. I still don’t like you but much better. Carmen, the only reason you are still here is that you were Simon’s wild card and he says whatever he can to keep you on. Good genre for you this week and I didn’t notice the bleating so much. (I guess I am going through all of them) Kim C, also a good genre for you and not a bad performance. See previous comment to explain Randy and Kim C. Corey, Please don’t sing any more! Nuff said. Ruben, I think you’ve got a huge amount of talent (no pun intended). Not necessarily the best song choice but you did well. Clay, steadily good voice but Simon has a point. Your songs are starting to sound the same. Rickey, I’ve gotta go with **RickJay** on this one. I don’t think you’ve sung a song that featured your voice well. I think you can sing but prove it to me. Wow, who pissed in my wheaties? I’m not really that catty and I did like most of the performances last night. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-3-25-whos-it-gonna-be/164099/28 "2003-03-26T14:00:33Z")
“In Birmingham they love the governor” refers to George Wallace. That line sounded a little strange coming from a black guy. This looked like a throwaway week, with every one either showing they’re really a country singer (meaning buh-bye soon to Josh and Carmen; it’s a _pop_ contest) or they were just fooling around. I’ll go along with the consensus here, and add the weekly question about how the hell Corey is still around. But Julia is finally toast - for the last 2 weeks, she’s been crying at the realization that she’s going to be stuck in the beauty parlor, moonlighting on stage at the lounge at the Holiday Inn on the highway, _for the rest of her life._ Olivia Newton-John doesn’t look anything like she used to (fewer wrinkles, didja notice?), and I didn’t recognize her at all. ---
**Author:** ![evilhomer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/43a26b/32.png) [@evilhomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/evilhomer)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-3-25-whos-it-gonna-be/164099/29 "2003-03-26T14:13:15Z")
My comments, in the order they performed: Joshua Gracin (sang “Ain’t Goin’ Down 'Til The Sun Comes Up”): I agree with **KrustyKlown’s** bobble head comment. For someone who’s supposed to be country, Josh did a crappy job at this song. It sounded like he kept running out of breath. Trenyce (sang “I Need You”): Not bad, but she wasn’t as good as in previous weeks. I don’t know if it was the song, or just her. Kimberley Locke (sang “I Can’t Make You Love Me”): Nicely done. She takes the top female performance for this week in my books. She seems to be getting back to what we saw in the audition phase. Corey Clark (sang “Drift Away”): Not as bad as last week, but still crappy. I’m mystified every week at how the judges seem to like him so much. If it wasn’t for everyone here, I’d think I was missing something in his voice. Since most people here think he sucks too, I feel much better. Carmen Rasmusen (sang “Wild Angels”): Is it just me, or does she always sound like she’s singing while sitting on a paint agitator? Like Josh, her forte is supposed to be country singing, and she didn’t do that great. I still think Simon is being easy on her because she was his wild-card pick. Rickey Smith (sang “I’ve Done Enough Dyin’ Today”): Unlike alot of people here, I didn’t mind Rickey at all. He’s not my favorite, but I think he did a pretty good job. Kimberly Caldwell (sang “Anymore”): I’m still not crazy about her voice. Not being a musician myself, I’m not sure what’s missing, but she’s lacking something that should be there. Ruben Studdard (sang “Sweet Home Alabama”): My favorite performance of the night. Ruben did a great job, and I think is now the one to beat, regardless of what Simon said last week. One of the things that separates him from most of the others is that you can tell he’s having a ball up there, and loves to sing. Some of the other contestants don’t look like they’re having fun when they’re up on stage. Julia DeMato (sang “Breathe”): For me, this was an “eh” performance. Not very good at all. Clay Aiken (sang “Someone Else’s Star”): He sung it well, but I agree with Simon that it was too much like last week’s song. There are so many country songs to choose from he should have had no problem finding one that suits his voice. Like **RickJay** suggested, Clay needs to do a completely different kind of song to show the audience he can do more than just ballads. My top 3 for this week: Ruben, Kimberly L and Clay. My bottom 3: Corey, Carmen and Julia. I think Julia will go tonight. ---
**Author:** ![Morgainelf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Morgainelf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgainelf)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-3-25-whos-it-gonna-be/164099/30 "2003-03-26T14:21:35Z")
Good point, \*\*Fingolfin[/b[! It’s like no one told them what Country Rock is! Country is not Country Rock. Bizarro. And Paula DID look drunk. And why couldn’t she stand up that one time that she tried? I think Simon is hilarious - he’s got the same look on his face that I would have were I sitting next to those idiots and listening to those boring performances. I just can’t understand what he sees in Carmen. (But then, I’m female.) I’m thinking they switched to the Country Rock theme because either: 1. Their Disco guest judge couldn’t make it this week, or 2. Nashville Star is getting some good buzz and they’re trying to compete. I doubt that it had anything to do with the war. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Cheatem\_Undhow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/13edae/32.png) [@Dewey\_Cheatem\_Undhow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Cheatem_Undhow)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-3-25-whos-it-gonna-be/164099/31 "2003-03-26T14:28:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mobo85 \* > \*\*Is it Rixon? I heard the word “Watergate” in there. \*\* It’s a reference to Alabama Governor George Wallace, best known for his “Segregation Now! Segregation Forever!” speechifying, standing at the doors of the University of Alabama to prevent the registration of its first black student, and a failed third party bid for the presidency. A little history: Neil Young wrote a song called “[Southern Man](http://www.ivory.org/lyrics/southern.html)” which more or less tarred all southern men as being cut from the Simon LaGree/Bull Connor mold of race relations. This did not sit well with Lynyrd Skynrd, which penned “[Sweet Home Alabama](http://www.lyricsxp.com/lyrics/s/sweet_home_alabama_lynyrd_skynrd.html)” largely as a response – hence the lines (which Ruben conspicuously did _not_ sing last night): > [@](#): > > Well, I heard Mister Young sing about her > Well, I heard ole Neil put her down > Well, I hope Neil Young will remember > A southern man don’t need him around anyhow. The Watergate reference fits into this part, which Ruben did sing: > [@](#): > > In Birmingham they love the Gov’nor. > Now we all did what we could do. > Now Watergate does not bother me. > Does your conscience bother you, tell the truth. Which is Skynrd’s way of saying “Yeah, we have our problems, but doing the best we can, and by the way, you non-southerners are hardly pure as the driven snow.” Given all that, as **elvis1lives** points out, it’s a little weird to hear that line sung by a black guy. ---
**Author:** ![annieclaus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b5a626/32.png) [@annieclaus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/annieclaus)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-3-25-whos-it-gonna-be/164099/32 "2003-03-26T14:31:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Convict \* > \*\*I guess I’m the only one who didn’t like Ruben’s performance tonight. There was something missing this week IMO. Maybe it was the song choice, I don’t know. \*\* No, you’re not alone. I totally agree. The song choice was predictable. . . and I don’t think he did anything special with it, except have fun. Technically, it sounded to me like the end notes of his phrases were pretty much all flat. But he may just win the whole ball of wax on personality alone! (And isn’t that what Pop is all about?) ---
**Author:** ![detop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@detop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/detop)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-3-25-whos-it-gonna-be/164099/33 "2003-03-26T15:54:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Dewey Cheatem Undhow \* > **A little history: Neil Young wrote a song called “[Southern Man](http://www.ivory.org/lyrics/southern.html)” which more or less tarred all southern men as being cut from the Simon LaGree/Bull Connor mold of race relations. This did not sit well with Lynyrd Skynrd, which penned “[Sweet Home Alabama](http://www.lyricsxp.com/lyrics/s/sweet_home_alabama_lynyrd_skynrd.html)” largely as a response – hence the lines (which Ruben conspicuously did _not_ sing last night): The Watergate reference fits into this part, which Ruben did sing:Which is Skynrd’s way of saying "Yeah, we have our problems, but doing the best we can, and by the way, you non-southerners are hardly pure as the driven snow."** [nitpick] I think it refers more to another Neil Young song, [Alabama](http://www.leoslyrics.com/listlyrics.php?id=98539) [/nitpick] ---
**Author:** ![Fingolfin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eada6e/32.png) [@Fingolfin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fingolfin)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-3-25-whos-it-gonna-be/164099/34 "2003-03-26T16:02:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by detop \* > \*\*[nitpick] I think it refers more to another Neil Young song, [Alabama](http://www.leoslyrics.com/listlyrics.php?id=98539) [/nitpick] \*\* Nope, it’s **Southern Man**. Trust us. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Cheatem\_Undhow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/13edae/32.png) [@Dewey\_Cheatem\_Undhow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Cheatem_Undhow)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-3-25-whos-it-gonna-be/164099/35 "2003-03-26T16:15:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by detop \* > \*\*[nitpick] I think it refers more to another Neil Young song, [Alabama](http://www.leoslyrics.com/listlyrics.php?id=98539) [/nitpick] \*\* It most definitely refers to “Southern Man.” Hence the Skynyrd line “a southern man don’t need him around anyhow” – it’s a not-so-veiled reference to the song. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-3-25-whos-it-gonna-be/164099/36 "2003-03-26T17:28:42Z")
I think it refers to both of the songs. ---
**Author:** ![slice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dec6dc/32.png) [@slice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slice)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-3-25-whos-it-gonna-be/164099/37 "2003-03-26T19:36:40Z")
Josh-I didn’t get to see him since boyfriend slice was insistent that he watch that show with John Ritter and the mom from Married…With Children. I thought it looked all right from the recap, but the comments here seem to indicate otherwise. What did the judges say about his performance? Trenyce-Less screaming, more singing! Although, I am starting to like her a little more (I really, really could not stand her in the beginning). Her hair was killing me though. On the left hand side (her right), it looked like you could just walk up and snap a piece off. But I’m sure if I had my hair tortured as much as the AI contestants do, it would probably look the same way. Kimberley L-I’m going to have to disagree with the judges here. The song (“I Can’t Make You Love Me”) didn’t exactly work for her at times. I thought her performance was okay–not good, not bad, just okay. Corey-As much as I was trying to hate his performance, I just couldn’t. I still reserve the right to hate him though. Carmen-She did better than I expected. I agree with Randy that she was more in her element than she has been (although, agreeing with Simon, the song was terrible). So overall, it was good. The vibrato, however, has GOT TO GO. Rickey-The song was pretty, his voice was great, but the performance put me to sleep. Kimberly C.-Performance: Impressive. Outfit: a cross between Britney Spears and a Victorian-era paper doll. Ruben-I was a little scared that he was going to butcher one of my favorite songs (“Sweet Home Alabama”) during the opening chorus, but once he got to the verse, it was fabulous. He was definitely the best tonight. But the whole 205 thing is, indeed, old. Julia-Shaky start, but it did get a slightly better. Note to Julia: don’t go after Ruben. (I actually typed that before Simon said it.) She should be the next voted off. Clay-His voice was amazing, but he looked drugged. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2003, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-3-25-whos-it-gonna-be/164099/38 "2003-03-26T20:15:48Z")
You know what would be great? Ted Nugent night. With Ted Nugent as guest judge. Now, _he_ would offer some useful criticism! Randy: It was ai’ight. Ai’ight. Paula: You look wonderful! Wonderful stage presence. Wonderful. Ted: [insane grin] Paula, are you nuts? It was terrible! Awful! My dog sings better. It was almost as bad as zoning laws! Simon: You should lose a few pounds. ---
**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:** [March 27, 2003, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-3-25-whos-it-gonna-be/164099/39 "2003-03-27T00:08:59Z")
Seriously, do Paula and Randy think they’re doing anyone any favours by kiss-assing every performance? Do they think that anyone who goes on to try to have a musical career is not going to hear extremely harsh criticism every time they audition? I wish they had better judges on the show. Ditch the pollyannas, keep Simon because he’s closer to being honest than the others (although I believe he truly is a bona fide dick), and make things interesting and closer to real. ---
**Author:** ![Gundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Gundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gundy)\ **Post date:** [March 27, 2003, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-3-25-whos-it-gonna-be/164099/40 "2003-03-27T02:29:15Z")
Sayonara, Julia. Well, at least we got to see the makeover montage. What the hell was that Mustang Sally clip about? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-3-25-whos-it-gonna-be/164099.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-3-25-whos-it-gonna-be/164099.md?page=3)