# American Idol, 4/20-21 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 21, 2011, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-20-21/579155 "2011-04-21T00:40:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-20-21/579155/1 "2011-04-21T00:40:28Z")
I looked for this thread, but it doesn’t look like anyone started it. Scotty doesn’t have the swagger to carry that song live, but I could hear it going over well on the radio. Not any radio that I listen to, mind you, but apparently some people are into this. ---
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-20-21/579155/2 "2011-04-21T00:48:23Z")
If it weren’t for the fact of Scotty McCreery’s existence, I’d say James Durbin just won the whole show tonight. ---
**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:** [April 21, 2011, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-20-21/579155/3 "2011-04-21T01:00:02Z")
I really liked what Durbin did. I’ve never heard that song before, but it was pretty cool. “Dance with My Father” is a great song that usually makes me tear up, but Lusk…I don’t know. ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-20-21/579155/4 "2011-04-21T01:09:04Z")
I can’t see it for two more hours but I can’t wait to see James. ---
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-20-21/579155/5 "2011-04-21T01:11:53Z")
I felt bad for Jacob–part of what happened there wasn’t really his fault, and he was still really good. **Dio** , definitely check out Muse. They’re one of my favorite bands over the last 4 or 5 years or so. ---
**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:** [April 21, 2011, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-20-21/579155/6 "2011-04-21T01:12:46Z")
> [@vivalostwages](#): > > I can’t see it for two more hours but I can’t wait to see James. It was pretty cool Something called “Uprising” by Muse. He metaled it up. ---
**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:** [April 21, 2011, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-20-21/579155/7 "2011-04-21T01:13:48Z")
> [@Drain\_Bead](#): > > I felt bad for Jacob–part of what happened there wasn’t really his fault, and he was still really good. > > **Dio** , definitely check out Muse. They’re one of my favorite bands over the last 4 or 5 years or so. I think I will if that song is representative. ---
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-20-21/579155/8 "2011-04-21T01:21:54Z")
[Stockholm Syndrome](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXN9acC9edU) [Hysteria](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7la0SndoCI) [Knights of Cydonia](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_sBOsh-vyI) Sorry about the hijack. I was actually listening to these instead of Stefano. Don’t feel like I missed anything. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-20-21/579155/9 "2011-04-21T01:41:04Z")
> [@Drain\_Bead](#): > > **Dio** , definitely check out Muse. They’re one of my favorite bands over the last 4 or 5 years or so. Ditto the Muse love. I agree James knocked it out of the park. This is going to sound odd, but his performance style reminds me of Garth Brooks. They both just go freakin’ insane on stage and you can feel their joy with every fiber of your being. I love Haley’s voice. I love that she’s finding her style. But you all know my heart belongs to Casey. After tonight’s performance (I am one of the three people on the planet who loves Maroon 5) I think we can officially say I have a retro schoolgirl crush on Casey Abrams. I haven’t felt this giggly about a male musician since I discovered Paul McCartney. ---
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-20-21/579155/10 "2011-04-21T01:47:41Z")
Yeah, I love Casey too, and have since his first audition. James grew on me as time went on. Hell, I actively didn’t want to like James, but he’s probably the most consistently good performer on the show. ---
**Author:** ![Brynda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Brynda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynda)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-20-21/579155/11 "2011-04-21T01:50:27Z")
Casey was great!!! I was also really impressed with Haley tonight. Hated James’ performance, but I pretty much always his singing and song choices. What did Steven say to Casey that got censored? Anyone read lips? ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-20-21/579155/12 "2011-04-21T01:50:45Z")
Also I keep forgetting Stefano is still in the running. This can’t be a good sign. ---
**Author:** ![shy\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a6a055/32.png) [@shy\_guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shy_guy)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-20-21/579155/13 "2011-04-21T01:54:41Z")
I’m on the other side of the James fence. I think he’s the most consistently awful contestant since Tim Urban. My prediction for tomorrow’s bottom three: Jacob, Stefano, either of the girls. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-20-21/579155/14 "2011-04-21T01:58:32Z")
For my money, this is still the Casey Vs Haley show and has been for the last several weeks…unfortunately, I don’t vote, so it’s not my money, and in reality it’s probably actually going to come down to Stefano and James. I think Stefano might win just based on looks and since this is a pop competition, that’s part of it. His looks will sell posters and shirts and concert tickets. But I like older songs, and I think those two (Casey and Haley) could probably croon with the best of them. I’d love to see Casey and Haley do an old Rat Pack or blues song with Michael Buble or Harry Connick Jr. I did notice they put James pretty early on and Lauren at the end which was odd. They typically put the people drawing the most attention at the end. So, yeah, ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-20-21/579155/15 "2011-04-21T02:03:41Z")
It’s interesting to me, given how much each of them do the same thing week after week, to see the random way in which some get counseled by the judges to do something different outside their comfort zone and some get cheered for knowing who they are as an artist. I liked the new judging lineup at first, but really they’re just completely useless now. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-20-21/579155/16 "2011-04-21T02:44:44Z")
Meh. I’m starting to get annoyed at being told just how AWESOME everyone was and HOW MUCH TALENT there is this year. Shut up and let us decide that, Ryan. And I’m the decider: There is not as much talent as there has been in past years. Sorry, but Stefano sucks, Lauren is just average, Scotty is starting to annoy/squick me out, and Jacob is a big blubbery bag of ego. That leaves Haley, Casey, and James. James has been putting up some awesome performances, but he’s starting to be just a bit too much of a ham about it all. He’s like Ryan Star on Rock Star Supernova, who was a great singer but who took himself way too seriously and started trying to win by doing stupid stunts like awkwardly climbing up on a Marshall Stack and then jumping off while looking terrified. I don’t want to see that - just sing the damned song. Haley may be my new favorite. She’s adopted the right attitude and she’s really slamming those songs home. She’s got personality and a sense of humor, and remains likeable while still putting on a show. Casey was fine, but I can’t help but thinking that his voice just isn’t all that - he mostly sang in a monotonous growly shout. I love the guy’s attitude and sense of humor, and he’s clearly a decent musician, but I haven’t heard anything that would make me want to go out and buy an entire album of his music - yet. All in all, this show’s fast-forward quotient is for me higher than it’s been in any other year. I get halfway through most of these performances and think, “Oh, screw it.” and just fast-forward to the end. None of them are really all that compelling. Haley and Casey were the only two I listened to from end to end. ---
**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:** [April 21, 2011, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-20-21/579155/17 "2011-04-21T03:30:42Z")
> [@olivesmarch4th](#): > > \(I am one of the three people on the planet who loves Maroon 5)\ We also love Maroon 5 - I love their last album. > [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > M\ Jacob is a big blubbery bag of ego. You nailed it. > [@](#): > > That leaves Haley, Casey, and James. James has been putting up some awesome performances, but he’s starting to be just a bit too much of a ham about it all. He’s like Ryan Star on Rock Star Supernova, who was a great singer but who took himself way too seriously and started trying to win by doing stupid stunts like awkwardly climbing up on a Marshall Stack and then jumping off while looking terrified. I don’t want to see that - just sing the damned song. > \ James tonight was David Cook and Adam Lambert’s love child. I really liked his performance - I think he got it all right. Scotty was boring as usual. ---
**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:** [April 21, 2011, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-20-21/579155/18 "2011-04-21T03:56:11Z")
Haley bugs me. I find her rather affected and full of herself, and don’t think her voice is all that great. Casey’s voice isn’t that great either, but I like that he’s a real musician. Durbin to me is the most consistently interesting, maybe because he’s the only AI conteststant I can remember who’s really had a metal sensibility, but also because he knows exactly what he wants to do and doesn’t give a shit what anybody thinks (the protective armour of Asberger’s). The rest are just fodder to me, but I think that Scotty has a career ahead of him no matterwhat, and might win. He’s probably got the most album-ready voice. It’s not my style of music at all, and I still find him preternaturally smarmy, but he can make a country album right now that would probably sell. I can’t deny his voice even if I don’t like him much and loathe country music. ---
**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:** [April 21, 2011, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-20-21/579155/19 "2011-04-21T04:09:14Z")
Casey was damned entertaining - I loved the little kiss at the end (and Steven saying what he said, and Ryan making a joke about the beard). I was laughing my ass off. ---
**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:** [April 21, 2011, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-20-21/579155/20 "2011-04-21T04:45:55Z")
I liked Baby Joey too (Stephano). I like that song, though, so I don’t know how much that was colouring my reaction. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-20-21/579155.md?page=2)