# American Idol 4/4 & 4/5: Country **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 4, 2006, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-4-4-5-country/351240 "2006-04-04T12:36:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![yellowval](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/919ad9/32.png) [@yellowval](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowval)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2006, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-4-4-5-country/351240/101 "2006-04-05T15:11:30Z")
I agree with **Dung Beetle** on this one. The judges are part of what makes the show fun for me to watch. I enjoy those, “Oh, Paula” moments, and I think Simon’s right to roll his eyes when he doesn’t like something and everyone boos. Who do you think knows more about the music industry and what will sell, Simon or the audience? For those who think the judges should give better musical critiques: What kind of critique are they supposed to form live on-air and be able to give in 20 seconds? I think it’s up to the voice coaches and/or whatever celebrity guest coach they’re working with that week to make those constructive points. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2006, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-4-4-5-country/351240/102 "2006-04-05T15:14:56Z")
> [@Dung Beetle](#): > > I want to keep all the judges. Half the fun of the show is rolling my eyes at Randy, watching Paula try to maintain some semblance of sobriety, and cheering for Simon (or screaming “WTF!”) If they get judges who actually give constructive musical critique, I’ll be too bored. Exactly. People who want to get rid of the judges don’t understand how much a part of the entertainment they are! If you got rid of Simon, I’d imagine viewership would plummet, especially in the early shows. You watch the first couple weeks BECAUSE of Simon. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2006, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-4-4-5-country/351240/103 "2006-04-05T15:25:58Z")
This was the only performance by Ace that I thought was pretty decent. Maybe it’s my imagination, but it looked like Chris was trying real hard to keep some distance from Seacrest after his song. Seacrest put an arm around Chris’s shoulders and Chris moved as far away as he could, and tried to stay away. What’s up with that? He looked uncomfortable. ---
**Author:** ![Reloy3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c68b51/32.png) [@Reloy3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reloy3)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2006, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-4-4-5-country/351240/104 "2006-04-05T15:32:45Z")
> [@DKW](#): > > Ugh…before I say anything else, let me reiterate that this show, really, _really_ needs new judges. I’ve never seen this much hostility before. For the love of humanity, let’s have some new blood. There was a time when the bickering was cute and harmless. Now it’s just plain ugly. > > And just so we’re clear, I mean _all_ the judges. I’ll spell it out for you folks: **Simon Cowell is a hack**. His criticisms sound like he’s reading the same ten cue cards over and over, and he sometimes can’t even keep his “opinions” consistent for a single show. And I know nobody wants to say this, but should he freaking _get used to_ being booed by now? I mean, what the hell does he expect, that the audience is someday suddenly going to see the incredible wit of “safe and boring” and “karaoke performances”? As the saying goes, insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. > > I don’t think we’ll have to wait long. It looks like he and Seacrest are rapidly approaching the “either he goes or I go” stage (taking a shot at a man’s sex life is a whole 'nother level of dis), and I don’t think the viewing public or the network is going to be very sympatetic to Cowell. > > On to the actual competition: > > **Taylor Hicks** - He screwed up by setting the key too high; I could tell that he was straining a bit. Country Road isn’t supposed to be difficult. Okay but not great performance. > > **Mandisa** - She must have struggled to find a song, because that was really unremarkable for her. I mean, it was good, sure, but definitely not used to what I’ve heard from her so far. > > **Elliott Yamin** - This is country? Sure coulda fooled me. Decent, dependable, kinda like how he’s always been. > > **Ace Young** - He sounded…kinda nice, actually. That-thing-he-does-that’s-not-falsetto was short enough that it wasn’t annoying. It wasn’t impressive, however…kinda like what a boy band member would do in a Texas lounge, if that’s any help. > > **Kellie Pickler** - What can I say. They gave her the Testarossa tonight, and she damn near broke the sound barrier. By far the best I’ve ever seen from her. > > **Paris Bennett** - She made a perfect song choice, she sounded great, and she looked like she was barely trying. Yeah. She looks good. > > **Chris Daughtry** - With a lackluster couple of weeks, this was definitely make-or-break time for him…and he nailed it shut. It was an absolutely seamless performance. Put those forks away, yahoos, the front runner is back! > > **Katharine McPhee** - She knew she needed to come up big after the near-shocker last week, and damned if that wasn’t exactly what she did. _Impressive_ performance; downright professional-sounding, in fact. > > **Bucky Covington** - Like Kellie, this was completely in his bag, and he had a chance to make a huge charge…and he blew it. He completely, totally blew it. Not only did he pick something that’s not even remotely country, he missed a few notes. I don’t usually ask this, but what the hell was he thinking? > > Updated not-gonna-win list: Mandisa, Covington, Pickler, Young, Yamin. Yamin is simply too ordinary; and he won’t get the votes to beat any of the favorites. > > Elimination prospects: A lot depends on exactly why McPhee had that close call. If it was just a coincidence (everyone thought she was safe, didn’t stick out enough and got lost in the shuffle, etc.), she’s going to be around for a while. If she’s really unpopular, she could be out. My guess is that it’s closer to the former than the latter and she’s safe. That means it’s probably between Covington, Hicks, and Yamin. I have a feeling…just a _feeling_, mind you…that it’ll be Covington. Young’s on borrowed time, but he won’t go this week. Wow! I have never before in an AI thread have I agreed with someone so completely. I would just ditto your comments with three short caveats: Cowell is going nowhere, It’s his show, he’s the executive producer and creator. In fact, other networks are clamoring for his non-Idol dregs, like AmericanInventor. If it is actually a war between then, Seacrist is out. I’m shocked that Ace wasn’t the worst since a week before Chicken Big left. Hate the falsetto, though. Kellie did great, but the song lyrics were a little too on the nose. Creepy. Paris did show a major weakness in dynamics. “How Do I Live” is punctuated by a split tag line. The words “How do I live” should be strong followed by a quieter (and lower) “without you”. She was good when she can belt it out, weaker when she has to pull back. I was sad it was almost all pop-country. THe only one that went out of the genre was Katherine, and she just pretended the song was country. ---
**Author:** ![Slacker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@Slacker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slacker)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2006, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-4-4-5-country/351240/105 "2006-04-05T15:37:26Z")
> [@AuntiePam](#): > > This was the only performance by Ace that I thought was pretty decent. > > Maybe it’s my imagination, but it looked like Chris was trying real hard to keep some distance from Seacrest after his song. Seacrest put an arm around Chris’s shoulders and Chris moved as far away as he could, and tried to stay away. What’s up with that? He looked uncomfortable. Maybe they didn’t get along when they filmed _The Fast and the Furious_ together. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2006, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-4-4-5-country/351240/106 "2006-04-05T15:41:48Z")
Speaking of “How do I live”, it always grates on my nerves because whoever sings it (Paris included) sounds like they’re saying “how do I leave.” It probably helps the “how do I breathe” part rhyme, but I hate it. ---
**Author:** ![Caricci](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/85f322/32.png) [@Caricci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caricci)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2006, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-4-4-5-country/351240/107 "2006-04-05T15:42:48Z")
I really need to shake my Idol habit. I thought everyone was sub-par and I’m getting embarrassed by the Simon/Ryan bickering. ---
**Author:** ![Slacker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@Slacker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slacker)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2006, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-4-4-5-country/351240/108 "2006-04-05T15:44:36Z")
> [@Dung Beetle](#): > > Speaking of “How do I live”, it always grates on my nerves because whoever sings it (Paris included) sounds like they’re saying “how do I leave.” It probably helps the “how do I breathe” part rhyme, but I hate it. She messed up a word in the first line too (What kind of love would that be - it’s supposed to be what kind of LIFE would that be IIRC). ---
**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:** [April 5, 2006, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-4-4-5-country/351240/109 "2006-04-05T16:03:39Z")
> [@DKW](#): > > Ugh…before I say anything else, let me reiterate that this show, really, _really_ needs new judges. I’ve never seen this much hostility before. For the love of humanity, let’s have some new blood. There was a time when the bickering was cute and harmless. Now it’s just plain ugly. > > And just so we’re clear, I mean _all_ the judges. I’ll spell it out for you folks: **Simon Cowell is a hack**. His criticisms sound like he’s reading the same ten cue cards over and over, and he sometimes can’t even keep his “opinions” consistent for a single show. And I know nobody wants to say this, but should he freaking _get used to_ being booed by now? I mean, what the hell does he expect, that the audience is someday suddenly going to see the incredible wit of “safe and boring” and “karaoke performances”? As the saying goes, insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. > > I don’t think we’ll have to wait long. It looks like he and Seacrest are rapidly approaching the “either he goes or I go” stage (taking a shot at a man’s sex life is a whole 'nother level of dis), and I don’t think the viewing public or the network is going to be very sympatetic to Cowell. > > … The audience automatically boos Simon almost as soon as he opens his mouth. Last night he got annoyed about being booed when all he said was he didn’t like the SONG. Randy and Paula can say they don’t like the SONG all the time and they don’t get booed. The song isn’t the same as the singer. I don’t blame Simon for getting annoyed about that. There are also some times I’ve seen him actually try to be contructive only to get booed so loudly he can’t be heard, then he gets off so Ryan can say something stupid. Frankly, I don’t think the “Cruise Ship” or “Wedding Singer” critique is that cruel, basically he’s saying “you could make a living singing but you won’t be a star”. The show is about finding a star. Paula is fun to watch just for the unpredictability factor. I think she was on downers last night or she was hungover. She was rather subdued. What’s most annoying about her is really that she rarely comes up with an opinion of her own, 95% of the time she mirrors whatever Randy says or just blathers on about how they were true to themselves. Randy is Randy but he does need a new scthick… several new schticks. I forgot to vote, I hope no one I liked is in danger or I’ll feel bad although I doubt the 10 votes I usually make would save anyone. But I get paranoid about that ever since Tamyra Gray went home when I forgot to vote that night. ---
**Author:** ![jali](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecae2f/32.png) [@jali](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jali)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2006, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-4-4-5-country/351240/110 "2006-04-05T17:04:16Z")
> [@Wile E](#): > > I get paranoid about that ever since Tamyra Gray went home when I forgot to vote that night. So… \*you’re \* the one I can blame for Tamyra. Boo…hiss. ---
**Author:** ![RachelChristine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7ab992/32.png) [@RachelChristine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RachelChristine)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2006, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-4-4-5-country/351240/111 "2006-04-05T17:27:33Z")
My mother called for a solid hour last night and got through for Katharine over 30 times. That’s a little scary. I just tried off and on throughout the whole time and never could get through for her or Chris. I did get through for Elliot three times in a row though! And my dad, who for some strange reason likes Kellie, only got through for her once. I’m sure we were a funny sight last night (I always go watch AI with my parents since my husband doesn’t like it). I was sitting there holding my baby in one arm and my cell phone in the other, Mom was across from me in her recliner on her cell phone, and Dad was walking around the house trying to get things done while on his cell phone – all of us dialing furiously and my parents constantly asking me what the numbers for IDOLS are. Mom is yelling down the hall “You’d better be calling for 08! I just got through again.” and dad yells back “But I can’t get through for 06!” And both constantly asking me who I’m calling for, as my strategy is to vote for both my favorites and some of the lower people that I still like so that they get enough votes to keep them on longer than people that I hate. Then they are all “What, you are voting for Bucky!” But he has really grown on me and I want him to last longer than Ace, even though I know he won’t, and shouldn’t, win it all. ---
**Author:** ![Slacker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@Slacker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slacker)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2006, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-4-4-5-country/351240/112 "2006-04-05T17:54:49Z")
Another random comment or two (they come to me at odd times): I was glad to see Chris actually follow the genre this week instead of just following it in principal (like with Stevie and 50’s weeks). I thought he did great. On the other hand, what was Bucky doing singing a Vertical Horizon song? 😕 That was only country because he sounds like a hillbilly. What was plan B if that song wasn’t available? _If yer gon’ be ma lover, ye gotta git with ma friends?_ ---
**Author:** ![kevja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/aeb1de/32.png) [@kevja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kevja)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2006, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-4-4-5-country/351240/113 "2006-04-05T18:29:33Z")
> [@KSO](#): > > Not really on topic, but what the hell happened to Kenny’s face? Jesus, that’s scary. He turns 68 in August. Maybe it’s time to let nature take it’s course and stop the plastic surgery. And yeah. Safe, dull and boring summed up last night’s show. In fact the whole season has been a little safe, dull and boring Why do people like Taylor? What an obnoxious twit. Just for fun, my season ranking so far. Katharine Chris Elliott Bucky (probably gone after tonight) Mandisa Paris Ace Kellie Taylor ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2006, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-4-4-5-country/351240/114 "2006-04-05T20:45:41Z")
> [@Slacker](#): > > On the other hand, what was Bucky doing singing a Vertical Horizon song? 😕 That was only country because he sounds like a hillbilly. It was remade recently by Gary Allan, a country dude. In a completely un-needed remake because it sounds almost completely like the original. Kind of like that pop version/country version of “I Can Love You Like That” (sorry for the ear worm) a few years back. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2006, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-4-4-5-country/351240/115 "2006-04-05T20:47:00Z")
Oh, and Kellie sang OK but the idea of taking that song (about someone making the best of a shitty situation) and making it a happy grrl power song is quite annoying. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2006, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-4-4-5-country/351240/116 "2006-04-05T21:49:26Z")
> [@Walter Windchill](#): > > This week is country. Next week is the music of Queen, which is sure to suck. If somebody has the spleen to sing a song from _Highlander_/_A Kind of Magic_, I’m so there. Heck, if somebody wants to prove that they can outclass Suzie McNeil on “Bohemian Rhapsody” I’m there to mock them. Y’know, come to think of it, there was an uncalled-for amount of Queen on _Rock Star_ last year. Are the surviving members actively trying to get the TV airplay? ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2006, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-4-4-5-country/351240/117 "2006-04-05T22:10:29Z")
For whom do I vote? This was a weird week, where the usually sucky did alright, & the usually good did… just alright. **Taylor** seemed uncomfortable. Really odd arrangement of the song. **Mandisa** did alright. (That’s white boy for “just a’ight.”) **Elliott** was good. **Paris** was ok, but it’s not like anyone was awful. **Ace** was pretty good, for him. He’s learning to sing within himself again, instead of listening to the judges & sabo-stretching. **Kellie** was not impressive. This is her comfort zone? Then why is she just ok, when _everybody_’s doing just ok? Oh, yeah, she’s a hack. **Chris** did better than he’s done in a while. Quite good. I liked **Katharine** ’s singing, though her goofy smiles seemed out of place to me. **Bucky** –boy, you have another cool tone besides the growl! I was expecting him to go, but he was one of the best tonight! So, I eventually voted for Bucky & Chris[sup]1[/sup] (the two best tonight), Elliott (also good), & Katharine (well, I liked it). Also some for the two goofballs, Paris & Taylor[sup]1[/sup], based on previous performances & general chops. Even though Taylor’s rendition of a song I like was uncomfortable for me. I think he & Kellie were two of the least impressive tonight, not that anyone was bad, exactly. Mandisa probably has a fan base. Go home Ace. Go home Kellie. [sub]1 To be fair, I barely voted for Chris & Taylor. I tried, but when, an hour & a half into the window, I can’t get through, I don’t feel a big need.[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2006, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-4-4-5-country/351240/118 "2006-04-05T22:19:23Z")
I just read this post: > [@vaderspal](#): > > Blah. I went to a show tonight (_The Three Penny Opera_ with Alan Cumming and Cyndi Lauper - outstanding!) so I had to tape-n-watch later. I wasn’t fully paying attention because I was folding laundry and such, but all I really remember is looking up once and saying out loud “Hi, I’m Kellie Pickler, and these are my breasts.” You gotta hand it to The Pick, she knows her market. If she wins, there is no God. Or, if there is, he’s a 17 year old boy. > > Best of the night: Elliott and Katharine by far > > Who will fail to realize this: Most of America > > Pretty Good: Everyone else > > Horrible! Go Home!: No one, for once. > > Not sucking as much as usual, but still pretty much sucking: Ace > > Still hate: Pickler > > Boring: All! > > Annoying: Judges’ cliches (just a’ight, song choice, blah blah) tied with hostile Simon/Ryan “banter” > > Plastic Surgery Disaster: Kenny Rogers. Yeek! > > Who Should Go Home: No one, since it won’t be Pickler. I know I’m gonna be bummed, whoever it is. ☹ Wow. You & I saw the same show. Not sure what DKW was watching… ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2006, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-4-4-5-country/351240/119 "2006-04-05T22:22:04Z")
> [@foolsguinea](#): > > If somebody has the spleen to sing a song from _Highlander_/_A Kind of Magic_, I’m so there. Hee. Didn’t Queen do “Flash–AH AH–Savior of the Universe!”? Please oh please someone do that! But “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” was covered by Dwight Yoakum so I guess Bucky or Kellie will have a lock on that. Here’s an idea: have everyone do their version of “Crazy Little Thing Called Love.” It has a lot of possibilities for everyone to make it their own, and it’s mainstream/pop enough for a pop idol. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2006, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-4-4-5-country/351240/120 "2006-04-05T22:30:14Z")
I read this thread, & I’m struck by how one person will say X, & the next will say quite the opposite! Which reinforces my feeling about the show last night. I honestly can’t call this week’s results–except that Taylor (who may be trying futilely to sandbag out, for all I can tell) & Chris are safe as houses, & that’s only 'cos I got busy signals trying to vote for’em. For myself I don’t feel like I _know_ whom to cut (except for my previously established disappointment in Ace & Kellie). It’s an odd point in the competition to be this…even. And that’s good. It means that finally, we have a crop of finalists worthy of the name. No Savol, no Covais, no John Stevens. The worst tonight were… not that bad, tonight. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-4-4-5-country/351240.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-4-4-4-5-country/351240.md?page=7)