# American Idol 5/23, This Is It! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 23, 2006, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-5-23-this-is-it/357936 "2006-05-23T18:46:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**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:** [May 24, 2006, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-5-23-this-is-it/357936/41 "2006-05-24T00:57:29Z")
I had to leave the room and missed what Simon said about Taylor that everyone was laughing at. What did he say? ---
**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:** [May 24, 2006, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-5-23-this-is-it/357936/42 "2006-05-24T00:59:11Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#): > > I had to leave the room and missed what Simon said about Taylor that everyone was laughing at. What did he say? He said Taylor was gonna be the next American Idol. And then Randy and Paula reminded Taylor that Simon didn’t want him to come. ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Tonya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/4491bb/32.png) [@Queen\_Tonya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Tonya)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2006, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-5-23-this-is-it/357936/43 "2006-05-24T00:59:11Z")
> [@BabaBooey](#): > > To any Futurama fans: you know that lovey-dovey Valtentine bear species? I’m pretty sure they write all of these finalist songs for AI. I was thinking they’d been stealing lyrics from diaries at Angst Jr.High, those two ‘singles’ were horrific! Neither sucks, and neither is the second coming, tonight it seems to be which annoying antic bothers you less. Inappropriate smiling or spastic dance moves? Gotta go with Taylor, and I like Kat okay but tonight she (and her parents) mirrored the satiric American Dreamz characters so incredibly it weirded me out. ---
**Author:** ![Harborwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Harborwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harborwolf)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2006, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-5-23-this-is-it/357936/44 "2006-05-24T01:01:07Z")
The song sucks. Why the hell can’t they do something up tempo and not this schmaltzy pseudo-inspiration crap. Anyways, Taylor did much better with his song than Katherine did. If Katherine wins this, there needs to be an investigation. Oh goody. I get to hear “Had a bad day” again. Haven’t had that song crammed into my brain enough. If you’ll excuse me, I have to take a hammer to my head. :smack: :smack: :smack: :smack: :smack: ---
**Author:** ![LilyoftheValley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/54ee81/32.png) [@LilyoftheValley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilyoftheValley)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2006, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-5-23-this-is-it/357936/45 "2006-05-24T01:03:44Z")
I only tuned in for the new songs, and I could barely make myself stay for those. I hereby apologize to the several countries of Europe whose songs in this year’s Eurovision contest I called “American Idol singles”. I would listen to Carola of Sweden anyday over those. God, those were boring. And in contrast to the shortened versions of the good songs that we heard, they seemed extra excruciatingly long. There was one note in Katherine’s single that made cats across America howl. Yowch. ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Tonya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/4491bb/32.png) [@Queen\_Tonya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Tonya)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2006, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-5-23-this-is-it/357936/46 "2006-05-24T01:05:38Z")
Okay faithful watchers, recall Justin and Kelly and last year’s Bo and Carrie, if there’d been a guest closer with a swoopy slow song, can’t you picture either of those pairs sweeping into a semi-ironic slow dance in the wings? The camera caught Taylor and Kat just sorta standing there with stiff body posture, looking uncomfortable about still being onstage and together at that. Kinda made me “huh” and think of how both of our two previous boy-girl finalists just had more fun with each other, themselves, the entire process. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2006, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-5-23-this-is-it/357936/47 "2006-05-24T01:07:30Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > They should give her a breathlyzer test during the commercial breaks and post her numbers. 1-866-IDOLS-LOADED I bet she was at .14 by the time they sang their debut singles. Taylor obviously deserves to win; he won rounds 1 and 3 easily, just blew her away, and lost Round 2 by a smaller margin. That said, if I absolutely had to bet $10 on the outcome, I think Katherine will win, irrespective of my opinion. We had a similar matchup last year - a boring but pretty ballad-singer, Carrie Underwood, against a legitimately interesting guy, Bo Bice, and Carrie won. And she wasn’t as good as Katherine. So I’ll bet on history, although I’m hoping for the guy who deserves to win. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2006, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-5-23-this-is-it/357936/48 "2006-05-24T01:14:41Z")
I thought Taylor did sound - forgive me - “pitchy” (flat, specifically) in his final song, and I’m with the rest of y’all, those two new songs sucked major. I wouldn’t buy either of them, and I really dig Taylor, so that’s saying something. I do think that Taylor blew Katherine away. Her first song was pretty good; his first song was kick-ass awesome. Her second song was okay; his second song was great. Her third song sucked ass; his sucked less ass. My prediction: Taylor in a landslide. Also based on the fact that the crowd at the Kodak erupted in major cheering every time Taylor finished a song, whereas Kat got more subdued cheering. (Extremely scientific, I know.) ---
**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:** [May 24, 2006, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-5-23-this-is-it/357936/49 "2006-05-24T02:09:37Z")
Why didn’t they give each of them 5 or 6 numbers to call? The lines are busy (duh), and I do not have the patience to dial for four frickin’ hours. Kat has said she can always tell when she flops, so I bet she’s sweating right now. Taylor’s last song wasn’t wonderful, and the other two weren’t as good as his original takes. But as some wise fella said once, it’s “rock bottom plus one” to win. Katharine has a gorgeous voice and deserves the attention this brings her. I hope this gives her the chance to continue to grow and develop a unique sound. Taylor can do a lot with a record contract right now - provided he survives the inevitable album full of schlock before he gets to make something his way. > [@Queen Tonya](#): > > Kinda made me “huh” and think of how both of our two previous boy-girl finalists just had more fun with each other, themselves, the entire process. I’ve noticed the last few episodes that, other than Kellie, Kat hasn’t seemed to really bond with anyone. I don’t get a great deal of warmth from her; she strikes me as a bit spoiled, and self-focused (arguably not a bad trait for a pop star). Taylor seems more like the kind of guy who has a few really close friends, but may not be the most popular guy on the block. He has a hard time being fakey-nice. Which I like, personally. Still busy. ---
**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:** [May 24, 2006, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-5-23-this-is-it/357936/50 "2006-05-24T02:12:49Z")
Well, there goes my chance to vote. Still busy and I’m going to bed. My streak remains unbroken. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2006, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-5-23-this-is-it/357936/51 "2006-05-24T02:34:33Z")
Apparently Kat isn’t interested in a music career. She only tried out for Idol so she could be on television. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Tiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Mama\_Tiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Tiger)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2006, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-5-23-this-is-it/357936/52 "2006-05-24T02:49:07Z")
They must have a _lot_ more phone lines available in different locations. Last season, when I was in New Orleans, I could almost never get through for anybody; this time around, living outside DC, I’ve had very good luck getting through for everyone any time I tried to vote (which admittedly was only rarely, out of curiosity). Earlier tonight, about ten minutes after the show ended, just out of curiosity I dialed in for Taylor nonstop and finally quit after about 20 connections in a row and not a single busy signal. I just got through again for him. ---
**Author:** ![sleeping\_mud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/58f4c7/32.png) [@sleeping\_mud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sleeping_mud)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2006, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-5-23-this-is-it/357936/53 "2006-05-24T03:21:16Z")
I’ve tried for 2 hours and couldn’t get through (for Taylor). Whoever wrote the song for Katharine did not like her. I felt Carrie would’ve done it much better. On Taylor’s personal song, it seemed completely written for Bo Bice. I’m sure Simon’s comment to Taylor that he will be the next American Idol will influence some voters. Was that Tori Spelling in the audience when they were showing “Katherine’s friends”? ---
**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:** [May 24, 2006, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-5-23-this-is-it/357936/54 "2006-05-24T03:28:27Z")
> [@Duckster](#): > > Apparently Kat isn’t interested in a music career. She only tried out for Idol so she could be on television. Well, if that’s true (cite?), then it’s unfortunate. She’s more interesting when she’s 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:** [May 24, 2006, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-5-23-this-is-it/357936/55 "2006-05-24T03:33:54Z")
> [@Mama Tiger](#): > > They must have a _lot_ more phone lines available in different locations. Last season, when I was in New Orleans, I could almost never get through for anybody; this time around, living outside DC, I’ve had very good luck getting through for everyone any time I tried to vote (which admittedly was only rarely, out of curiosity). Earlier tonight, about ten minutes after the show ended, just out of curiosity I dialed in for Taylor nonstop and finally quit after about 20 connections in a row and not a single busy signal. I just got through again for him. I’m in NYC and I am only getting through (for Taylor) about once every twenty tries. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2006, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-5-23-this-is-it/357936/56 "2006-05-24T03:41:13Z")
My lines aren’t even busy. I get a special message now saying, “Lines are all busy. Please try again later.” Alll 6 lines say this. I’ve had it for about 45 minutes. ---
**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:** [May 24, 2006, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-5-23-this-is-it/357936/57 "2006-05-24T03:50:28Z")
According to DialIdol right now it’s Taylor by a mile. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2006, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-5-23-this-is-it/357936/58 "2006-05-24T03:55:49Z")
I tried steadily for the first 90 minutes of voting and only got through for Taylor twice. I got through a couple more times in this past half hour. What time does voting close? I need to go to bed. ---
**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:** [May 24, 2006, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-5-23-this-is-it/357936/59 "2006-05-24T03:57:55Z")
I’ve tried for the past two hours for Taylor, never got through. ---
**Author:** ![Lama\_Pacos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Lama\_Pacos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lama_Pacos)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2006, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-5-23-this-is-it/357936/60 "2006-05-24T04:18:22Z")
God, why do they have them sing these rejected-by-Celine-Dion songs? They’re not even _good_ schlock. I at least liked how last year both Bo and Carrie sang “Inside Your Heaven” so we could get a very direct comparison. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-5-23-this-is-it/357936.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-5-23-this-is-it/357936.md?page=4)