American Idol Feb 27-Mar 1

I’ll try to write in complete sentences this week for the purposes of our later viewers.

Regarding Phil whosangfirst, he didn’t miss many notes but a few of the mini runs he did were kind of mediocre and didn’t really add a whole lot. He does have a pretty powerful voice and pulled the ending off quite well though. This is a better start than last week, that much is for sure.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but they aren’t accompanied by a band this week, are they? It’s prerecorded instruments and whatnot? I think it’s a touch unfair to call him Karaoke for that reason.

Re: Phil

I thought he was OK–decent voice singing a dreary song. Good enough to not be booted this week.

I like the song ok, but I agree that “insipid” is a good description of his performance.

I’m sure there will be much speculation of Phil as “The Chosen One” for getting last spot last week and first spot this week.

Regarding Jared Cotter mid performance…

Is it just me or is this not at all good?

Jared Cotter’s voice is not up to this song. Marvin Gaye makes you wanna take off your clothes, Jared makes me wanna pat him on the head and say, “Why, that was nice young man.”

P.S. My son has a new favorite since Jared’s parents remind him of his own.

AJ Tobasco was the best so far. Again, I think I like the song better than the singing but I enjoyed that.

I’ve actually thought about this issue and it seems to me they frontload and backload the singers who’ve done the best in rehearsals. So the “best” of the week goes last, the second best goes first, etc., while the dreck appears in the middle. Just one of my pet theories.

As for Jared, it was, as Simon said, corny and overacted at times.

I didn’t think A.J. was good at all.

Great assist, yellowval… that is more or less what I meant. The fact that each individual case is slightly different doesn’t change the fact that there have been several bootings of contestants of color, but not so with White contestants.

Anyway, on to today. I don’t know if Taylor and some of the others spoiled me last season, but these guys just seem… good. Not great. I think I have a pretty good understanding of popular music, but I hate it when the contestants sing obscure songs (looking at you, A.J.). Or at least obscure to me. Like Chris Sligh’s song last week.

Sanjaya.

Total Michael Jackson impersonation. Next time do “Billy Jean.”

Sanjaya: it’s hard to critique him, because I can’t hear his singing. Sligh dancing in the background is more interesting.

I like Sandy. He’s not doing great with this song. I think he could really rock it if he wasn’t so timid. So waif-like, so soft.

Sanjaya, for those who are not inside my head and know what I’m talking about.
His whole attitude screams DON’T LOOK AT ME.

My son says it’s as if Sanjaya doesn’t like loud noises and so he sing softly.

Sanjaya…so quiet. When he kicked it up at the end, he had a terrific voice. But the rest of it made me want to grab him by the shoulders and shake him until he woke up or showed a flash of some sort of emotion. Because I do think he has a great voice.

I flipped halfway through Sanjaya’s performance because I couldn’t bear to hear the criticism. I accidentally flipped back halfway through the criticism and I loved how Simon wouldn’t leave Paula alone.

I feel bad for Sanjaya. Maybe it’s just nerves and/or song choice though, we’ll see next week.

Wow. Sanjaya is channeling Michael Jackson hard. Poor song choice. He picked up some votes with his weedy defense of the song. Randy and Simon’s disses were pretty funny as well.

Paula is useless. These guys want to get better, and you give them fluffy, nonspecific feedback. Like the teacher that gives you a B+ on an assignment but can’t tell you what you needed to do to earn the A.

I liked how Sanjaya did something different, but the song doesn’t work for him. It sounds like the type of song that depends more on presence than ability.

Sligh

“Trouble.” I love this song. Taylor did it last year. I think Chris is doing it better.

Chris S can sing and he can sing anything. He’s got a real personality. His wife is HOT! See what being a real person can get you, guys!

I so wish I could be watching at the same time as y’all, but I must wait another 2 hours plus. Drat.

Those poor wives and girlfriends. Expected to squeeze out a tear or do something camera worthy. P.S. Nick Pedro sucked.

Pedro

Singing a very girly version of “Fever.”

Very girly.