American Idol Feb. 22

Cafe Society
41

Jesus, I’m going to wear out the fast-forward button on my remote because of American Idol. It’s always been bad, but this was 1.75 hours of filler and 15 minutes of worthwhile viewing.

That said, I think the top 13 is mostly the right people, with the exception maybe of Jermaine (who I don’t think will be very versatile) and I would replace either Elise or Erika with Jen Hirsch. I was sad to see Baylie Brown go home just because she’s such nice eye candy, but her voice was weak. I’m SO happy that Reed Grimm got the boot. That guy was a total cheesefest.

The Top 13:

Colton Dixon - the modern rocker guy, he’s got skills but I’m kinda ‘meh’ on him

Deandre Brackensick - (wild card) all I can think of when I see him is Milli Vanilli. And the “Hairography” episode of Glee. He sure flips that shit around a lot.

Elise Testone - reminds me very much of an old ex-girlfriend. At 28, she’s the oldest contestant left.

Erika Van Pelt - (wild card) I don’t see her going very far.

Heejun Han - I like his awkward comedy ‘schtick’. He’s got a good voice, too. I can see him going really far.

Hollie Cavanagh - tiny little pale blonde girl with a big voice. I was really impressed with her and hope she sticks around a long time.

Jeremy Rosado - (wild card) good voice but non-distinctive. Very likable guy.

Jermaine Jones - deeeeep voice. I was surprised he made the top ten.

Jessica Sanchez - wow! Not my favorite style of singing, but she’s definitely the one to beat right now.

Joshua Ledet - I *really *dislike his style of singing–seems very shouty to me–but he appears to be very popular.

Phillip Phillips - I hope he goes home early just for having a stupid name.

Shannon Magrane - she and Jessica are the youngsters at 16. Solid voice and good poise while performing. I could see her becoming a star. I hope we don’t have to sit through jokes about her father wanting to beat up Steven Tyler every week.

Skylar Laine - spunky little country singer. Lots of confidence and stage presence. May have to compete with Shannon for the country crowd’s votes?

42

I agree with most of the choices. I hope we won’t be subjected to Deandre’s screeching for long.

43

And that’s why I won’t be watching the rest of the season.

44

Erika is a really good singer. I was happy she was picked.

The problem is the distraction caused by her lack of proper support garments and her habit of dressing to show off her back fat. The stylist really needs to lay down the law with her or it will hurt her chances. And if she can’t afford hypermobile lip or some other aesthetic gum surgery, she needs to learn how to keep her upper lip down more when she smiles.

Heejin is hilarious. I love his positive attitude. I laugh every time I think of when Ryan asked him what he was sweating and he answered mostly water. I love a quick wit in a man.

Deandre is very commercial like Jimmy said. He’s adorable, just lay off the hair whipping a little bit. Please.

I’m rooting for Elise also. She looks like she has had a hard luck life but she’s a fighter.

I felt so bad for Adam Brock. I was really hoping he would make the final cut and at least get to do the tour.

45

The bit they showed last night of his backstage interview (filmed immediately after Tuesday’s performance show), in which he said that his only hope was that his father had 20 cell phones and knew how to dial? That was some funny stuff.

46

When the judges said such good things about him, I was afraid he’d be chosen for one of the wild card spots. Didn’t they say he was “entertaining”? Maybe to himself. No part of his act looked like it came naturally to him. He just wanted to stand out. Make it stop!

47

I love Erika Van Pelt’s name. She could be a werewolf or something.

48

Or a Peanut.

49

I’m a Phil Philips fan. Have I been blinded by his sheer manly attractiveness? Has the onslaught of male guitar-laden winners finally gotten through to me (this coming from someone who was rooting for Syesha Mercado over David Cook, for god’s sake)? There are other talented singers–Skylar is great, Hollie could satisfy me, Jessica is great–but I still find myself uninspired. Too many years of disappointing losses (Haley in 3rd, Crystal in 2nd, Adam in 2nd, Melinda in 3rd).

Anyone planning on running the pool this year? Or the pre-top 13 ranking competition? I’d tally up the latter if there’s interest…or have we all overdosed on this godforsaken show by now?

50

No, I’m still hanging in (barely).

51

I haven’t been watching, though I want to, I turned it on tonight. Jessica Sanchez sang “I Will Always Love You” and OMG it was so beautiful I got tears in my eyes. Steven Tyler said she had just made 40 million people cry, and I was one of them.

52

Elise Testone does a very half-assed job of “I’m Your Baby Tonight” - Mary J. Blige was right on the money when she said her timing had to be perfect on this song, and it isn’t. This is like the cruise ship version of the song - oh, perfect! A BIG FINISH! (I hate the BIG FINISH! they like to stick on songs.)

53

Jermaine Jones doing something by Stevie Wonder - now, that was nice. That was a good song choice for his low, mellow voice. He has got to do an Isaak Hayes song at some point.

ETA: Or Barry White.

54

Shee-it, Erika Van Pelt can sing. That said, I’d like to declare an American Idol moratorium on Whitney Houston songs.

55

And, Shannon Magrane sings another Whitney Houston song! She did a nice job, though, except for her voice taking a dump on that one power note.

56

I missed the start of the show tonight - are they only allowed to sing Whitney and Stevie tonight?

Skylar Laine - the only question with her is, will she sing Reba McEntire or Dolly Parton when allowed to pick her own song? God, I hate country singers and country singing. She’s pretty good in spite of her countrifying everything - she’ll be around to bug me for a long time.

57

Heejun can really sing, too - that was lovely.

58

DialIdol has

Erika as the bottom girl, and

Jermaine as the bottom guy.

Runners-up for last on either side are Shannon and Joshua.

Top on each are Jessica and Hollie, and Phillip and (surprisingly, to me) Deandre

59

That was dismal. DVR fast forward was the rule rather than the exception.

I’ll never tire of leering at Jennifer Lopez, Queen of Kohl. Is that where she bought those pants?

Jessica, Hollie, Erika, and Skylar were amazing and nearly flawless. The rest are so very forgettable. It was rather shitty of AI to foist Stevie and Whitney on them for their first finalist performance. Stevie songs are harmonically tricky, and Whitney performances will always suffer in the comparison.

Someone ought to inform Phil Phil that vein-popping bellowing without any discernable melody is not really what Dave Matthews does.

Erika’s hair looked stylish. My wife pointed it out; now she wants to copy it.

Heejun = mouthbreather. Do you have sinus problems? Why are you so slackjawed? Good instrument; lousy vocal technique. Need to brighten the sound - engage the soft palate and nasal structures. As it stands, it’s pitchy, throat-warbly, mallowy.

Colton, fuck you, fuck your skinny jeans, fucking shut the fuck up with your fucking yelping, fucknuts.

Jermaine needs another move after “nod head back and forth with mystically sweeping hand gesture.” Gotta love a good baritone though.

Deandre: High pony tail? Really?

60

Hee hee hee. :smiley:

Hey, did you know Deandre has long, curly hair? They might mention it once or twice.