# American Idol 4/26 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 26, 2005, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-26/301161 "2005-04-26T15:18:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2005, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-26/301161/141 "2005-04-27T20:32:09Z")
> [@Dung Beetle](#): > > 1. Why isn’t Carrie on Nashville Star where she belongs? Isn’t that where her target audience is? I couldn’t understand half of what she sang for the twanging. Cause she isn’t talented enough for “Nashville Star”. The talent level on NS is FAR, FAR, FAR higher than AI. They all have much better voices and are required to write their own songs and a lot of them play their own instruments. It doesn’t hurt that a lot of them have been around the music scene for a while, but just haven’t broken through (playing backup, things like that, etc), which means they usually older and more experienced in knowing what songs work their voices. Carrie wouldn’t have made the Top 12 on “Nashville Star”. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2005, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-26/301161/142 "2005-04-27T20:40:13Z")
Just watched last night’s AI. What a train wreck. The audience is distracting and I wish they’d control them from turning the show into an 'NSync concert where you can’t hear the music for the pre-teen girls screeching. Hated the fillers, probably because I’m not emotionally invested in anyone since I just started watching a few weeks back. Carrie - Didn’t recognize the song. Thought she did well with it. She’s young and refreshing. Bo - Thought he did fine. Wasn’t overly impressed. Vonzell - She’s just darling and she can sing. Good for her. Constantine - His lack of vocal training is starting to show. And I hate, hate, hate how he constantly looks at the camera with his bedroom eyes. He’s a good looking dude (better with short hair, IMO) but as Jackson said, he needs to focus on his SINGING. Anthony - He would be perfect in a Broadway show, “Joseph” or something like that. He doesn’t have the charisma to carry him into the finals. I think the only reason he’s still around is that he appeals to the pre-teen girls (Bo and Constantine being too old and Scott being…well, you know). Scott - He shouldn’t be messing with a Luther song. He doesn’t have what it takes to run with the big boys. And, God love him, Scott has no stage presence at all. I didn’t think any of them was a stand out tonight. My ranking (lowest to highest): Scott Constantine Anthony Bo Carrie Vonzell ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2005, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-26/301161/143 "2005-04-27T20:55:43Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > Nope, just as many people do not dislike Rock music as country. Country has far, far smaller fan base. Just look at sales from around the country for the last 20 years or so. Rock outstrips both R&B and Country as this country’s favorite kind of music. Hip Hop has recently taken over Rock’s stranglehold on our Pop Music sensibilities and in so doing, pushing R&B up in popularity. Are those the same sensibilies that made Garth Brooks the #1 selling single artist in history for a while… until they realized Elvis’ 1 and got Presley the #1 spot again? 😉 The year end albums charts for 2004, had Toby Keith at #3 and Kenny Chesney at #7. Country does sell pretty well in this nation. ---
**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:** [April 27, 2005, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-26/301161/144 "2005-04-27T21:07:42Z")
> [@Reloy3](#): > > Actually, that leads to a good question, which AI performers have released albums, and what are the sales like. A quick Yahoo search turned up a lot of stuff on AI, but not this info. ANybody know where to look? AI contestant albums are: **Winners** Kelly Clarkson – _Thankful_ Kelly Clarkson – _Breakaway_ Ruben Studdard – _Soulful_ Ruben Studdard – _I Need an Angel_ Fantasia Barrino – _Free Yourself_ **Runners Up** Justin Guarini – _Justin Guarini_ Tamyra Gray – _The Dreamer_ RJ Helton – _Real Life_ Jim Verraros – _Rollercoaster_ Clay Aiken – _Measure of a Man_ Clay Aiken – _Merry Christmas With Love_ Kimberley Locke – _One Love_ Josh Gracin – _Josh Gracin_ Carmen Rasmusen – _Carmen_ Diana DeGarmo – _Blue Skies_ George Huff – _My Christmas EP_ John Stevens – _Come Fly With Me_ Nikki McKibbin has an album in the works (you can listen to some demos [here](http://astralrecords.co.uk/artists/nikkimckibbin/nikkimckibbin.html)), a single is supposed to be released next month, but they aren’t planning on releasing the full-length album until next February (??!). Lisa Leuschner is also [working on an album](http://www.lisaleuschnerfans.com/home.htm). Clay Aiken is rumored to be working on another album (release dates vary), George Huff is going to have [an album](http://www.georgehuffworld.com/news/?tout=23320017) out in July, and Corey Clark is releasing _[Wiggle & Shake](http://www.mixmatters.com/featured_artist/corey_clark/corey_clark.html)_ next month. Also rumored to be releasing albums this spring or summer are Latoya London and Jennifer Hudson, though no details are available on their websites. I don’t know what all the official sales figures are, but I do believe Clay has outsold all of them. I’ll see if I can dig something up. As for last night’s performances, I can’t figure out what everyone was hearing from Anthony, who I thought majorly sucked (and was very vaguely creepy), and I actually liked Constantine. No one was all that great, but since I didn’t know any of the songs, it might’ve been harder to impress me, I dunno. Scott should definitely be going home tonight. ---
**Author:** ![Reloy3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c68b51/32.png) [@Reloy3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reloy3)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2005, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-26/301161/145 "2005-04-27T21:11:16Z")
After Anthony’s home interview (which won him some points in my household), I noticed for the first time his accent. Anyone else have the same experience? ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2005, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-26/301161/146 "2005-04-27T21:14:16Z")
Yeah that home interview from Anthony made me feel better about the kid. His parents were too cute. ---
**Author:** ![Carm6773](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/2bfe46/32.png) [@Carm6773](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carm6773)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2005, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-26/301161/147 "2005-04-27T21:27:17Z")
> [@Reloy3](#): > > After Anthony’s home interview (which won him some points in my household), I noticed for the first time his accent. Anyone else have the same experience? His accent comes and goes. I think it is more noticeable when he is tired. The reason I say this is because I notice it more on Wednesdays. FTR, I’d love to hear him sing something in Russian. ---
**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:** [April 27, 2005, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-26/301161/148 "2005-04-27T23:32:31Z")
> [@ISiddiqui](#): > > Are those the same sensibilies that made Garth Brooks the #1 selling single artist in history for a while… until they realized Elvis’ 1 and got Presley the #1 spot again? 😉 > > The year end albums charts for 2004, had Toby Keith at #3 and Kenny Chesney at #7. Country does sell pretty well in this nation. Two country albums in the end of year top 10? Not very impressive. Especially including Toby Keith who definitely softened his country edges as did Garth Brooks. They had hit albums because the crossed over. I know it’s painful. Kinda like how I feel any time a poster bad mouths “church singing” which is just R&B on full blast. But the truth is the truth. Rock rules in this country’s music charts. ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2005, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-26/301161/149 "2005-04-27T23:35:07Z")
I’ve said to my girlfriend (who’s rooting for Constantine) that Anthony should play up the Russian angle, “I want be big Amerrican pop star, get girrls.” It’s funny the way I do it. Promise. ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2005, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-26/301161/150 "2005-04-27T23:39:23Z")
I haven’t done “reviews” in a couple of weeks, because it’s the same every week: Scott sucked and needs to go, Anthony was insipid, Bo was competent but the song choice was boring, Vonzelle was good, Constantine made me laugh (at least), and Carrie was fine for what she is which isn’t anything I especially like but isn’t anything I especially hate. PLLLLLLLEEEEASE America, send Scott home. I don’t care who wins, I just need Scott to stop sucking and stop his surly sulking. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2005, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-26/301161/151 "2005-04-27T23:50:56Z")
> [@cricetus](#): > > I’ve said to my girlfriend (who’s rooting for Constantine) that Anthony should play up the Russian angle, “I want be big Amerrican pop star, get girrls.” It’s funny the way I do it. Promise. BERSERKER!!! ---
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2005, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-26/301161/152 "2005-04-28T00:19:58Z")
I saw last night differently from some of the others. I grouped the contestants into two categories: 1. Mainly on-key but sang a song without much difficulty. Relied on performance more than vocals but no major mistakes: Carrie Bo Constantine 2)Sang a difficult song. Really nailoed it in places but excrutiatingly off-key at times: Vonzell Anthony Scott I can’t decide a ranking. I think Carrie did well by showing some personality, although her jeans were not flattering. Anybody but Bo could go (he’s too cute 🆒 ) For those wondering about Idol CD sales: TVClubhouse had posted these numbers for the other AI CDs, including sales thru the first quarter of 2005: Clay Aiken - Measure of a Man - 2,695,203 Kelly Clarkson - Thankful - 2,158,106 Kelly Clarkson - Breakaway - 1,674,742 (now 1,862,320) Ruben Studdard - Soulful - 1,769,039 Fantasia - Free Yourself - 1,214,262 (now 1,300,579) Clay Aiken - Merry Christmas With Love - 1,009,294 (Does not include Provident sales) Ruben Studdard - I Need an Angel - 378,497 (388,200 thru last week) Josh Gracin - Josh Gracin - 354,772 (now 380,290) Kimberly Locke - One Love - 201,801 William Hung - Inspiration - 189,563 Diana Degarmo - Blue Skies - 143,511 Justin Guarini - Justin Guarini - 141,987 Tamyra Gray - Dreamer - 119,826 William Hung - Hung for the Holidays – 29,189 R J Helton - Real Life - 20,892 ---
**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:** [April 28, 2005, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-26/301161/153 "2005-04-28T00:21:37Z")
I take everything back! [Looking at Billboard’s Top 100 for 2004](http://www.billboard.com/bb/yearend/2004/bb200_2.jsp) it looks like R&B is the country’s best selling music followed far behind by country. Bubble Gum (which I happen to love) comes third and Rock-- a distant fourth. Sure, the best selling country album (Toby Keith’s Shock 'n Yall) came in 7th behind the Rocky Evanescence with Fallen-- Rock is definitly underrepresented in 2004’s charts. However— Country is represented by deliberate cross-overs like Toby, Gretchen and Tim McGraw. What suprised me is how Hip Hop dominated the charts last year. So much so that Rubin outsold Clay handily last year. P.S. Shock 'n Y’all is the best selling Country album? Gah! No wonder I hate Country music! ---
**Author:** ![Good\_Egg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/96bed5/32.png) [@Good\_Egg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Good_Egg)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2005, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-26/301161/154 "2005-04-28T01:03:35Z")
eeeeeeee! Who goes? Lets watch Ryan milk it for all its worth (and not worth). I dislike these group songs. ---
**Author:** ![Good\_Egg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/96bed5/32.png) [@Good\_Egg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Good_Egg)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2005, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-26/301161/155 "2005-04-28T01:08:09Z")
What an **adorable** commercial! ---
**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 28, 2005, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-26/301161/156 "2005-04-28T01:09:56Z")
Gee, I wonder which one is the safe group. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2005, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-26/301161/157 "2005-04-28T01:11:51Z")
> [@](#): > > William Hung - Inspiration - 189,563 > Diana Degarmo - Blue Skies - 143,511 If I were Diana Degarmo, I think this would plunge me into near-suicidal depression. ---
**Author:** ![Amazingrace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8edcca/32.png) [@Amazingrace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amazingrace)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2005, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-26/301161/158 "2005-04-28T01:15:12Z")
Oh Sweet Jesus! ---
**Author:** ![KSO](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@KSO](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KSO)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2005, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-26/301161/159 "2005-04-28T01:15:36Z")
I’m going to start powervoting for everyone but Scott. This is bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![Good\_Egg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/96bed5/32.png) [@Good\_Egg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Good_Egg)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2005, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-26/301161/160 "2005-04-28T01:15:49Z")
Oh boy. Connie in the bottom group? Sigh. Scott safe. Audience understands. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-26/301161.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-26/301161.md?page=9)