# American Idol March 13-14 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 13, 2007, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-march-13-14/395798 "2007-03-13T21:22:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-march-13-14/395798/181 "2007-03-15T07:28:41Z")
Diana gets a well earned pass. Any judge dissing her would explode from a karma overload. America got the bottom three right. I was shocked at that alone. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 9:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-march-13-14/395798/182 "2007-03-15T09:09:14Z")
[QUOTE=Rilchiam] Who? Constantine did BoRap, but he was neither crazy nor redheaded. Do you mean one of the bad auditions? And FTR, I understood what you meant. Sanjaya’s mom was not your client; Lisa was. You and Sanjaya’s mom both had your own job to do, but she was interfering with your ability to do yours. Perfectly reasonable for you to have been irritated. [/QUOTE] Yeah, the horrid guy from the Seattle auditions. And thanks, I hope it was that kind of misunderstanding. But still, I hope MoodIndigo’s post was not a simple driveby, and that they will explain their reaction to my post, which for the life of me seems 100% snobbery free. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-march-13-14/395798/183 "2007-03-15T10:33:47Z")
[QUOTE=jsgoddess] I just realized who Sanjaya reminds me of. Kristy McNichol! [/QUOTE] Holy shit! You’re right! ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 10:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-march-13-14/395798/184 "2007-03-15T10:35:05Z")
[QUOTE=OpalCat] Wow, Diana sucked. Shouty, off pitch, running around the stage kinda weird… The judges would have torn into her for that performance if she was a contestant. [/QUOTE] Too bad she announced a tour at the same time she gave a sample of her current abilities. Ticket sales will plummet. Man, that was awful! ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-march-13-14/395798/185 "2007-03-15T10:40:36Z")
Fucking Sanjaya…I can’t believe they dumped Brandon for this twerp. I was completely annoyed by the stupid ensemble performance. They all sucked, it was strained and cheesy, and even my Melinda looked bad. Why do they insist on doing that? It does absolutely nothing for the show or the competitors. Diana Ross should quit performing and stick with the mentor thing. I think her ship has sailed. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![kiz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7feea3/32.png) [@kiz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kiz)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-march-13-14/395798/186 "2007-03-15T12:06:05Z")
Eh, I didn’t think Diana was THAT bad, but she wasn’t that great either. If she had done one of her later standards – “I’m Coming Out” our “Upside Down”, for instance – I would’ve been much more enthusiastic about her performance, I think. She’s been Botox’d beyond belief. Amazing her face hasn’t gone the MJ route yet :eek: I never would’ve guessed Phil to be in the bottom three. My choices were Sanjaya (despite his Tiger Beat cuteness), Brandon, and Haley. Therefore, I wasn’t surprised about Brandon. But I have a feeling both Haley and Sanjaya are hanging by a thread. ---
**Author:** ![StarvingButStrong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/starvingbutstrong/32/335_2.png) [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-march-13-14/395798/187 "2007-03-15T12:44:30Z")
[QUOTE=Liberal] America got the bottom three right. I was shocked at that alone. [/QUOTE] Which says DialIdol’s system is pretty poor: they had all “bottom 3” contestants listed in the top half. (3, 5, and 6 I think it was.) ---
**Author:** ![xnylder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/bbce88/32.png) [@xnylder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xnylder)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-march-13-14/395798/188 "2007-03-15T13:12:46Z")
[QUOTE=Kalhoun] I was completely annoyed by the stupid ensemble performance. They all sucked, it was strained and cheesy, and even my Melinda looked bad. Why do they insist on doing that? It does absolutely nothing for the show or the competitors. [/QUOTE] I agree. On top of it all, this week featured not only one of the worst group sings, but one of the worst Ford commercials. Bad song choice, bad costumes, bad directing… The only vehicle that commercial would inspire anyone to buy would be a getaway car. ---
**Author:** ![jali](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecae2f/32.png) [@jali](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jali)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-march-13-14/395798/189 "2007-03-15T13:46:44Z")
I’ll be quick so I don’t have quotes from other posters but… The song, “Home” from the long running Broadway musical, [\*The Wiz \*](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000002I8P/thebroadwaymu-20) was originally sung by Stephanie Mills. In the [movie version](http://www.amazon.com/Wiz-Original-Soundtrack-1978-Film/dp/B000002P75/ref=pd_sim_m_2/102-4526934-3473758) (which sucked) Diana Ross played Dorothy and sang it. One poster mentioned an “unknown song” when discussing Melinda’s choice. That really shocked me since it’s one of my all time favorites. (It took the place of “Somewhere, Over The Rainbow” in the show) I thought that Chris Sligh rocked his version of “Endless Love”. I loved the arrangement. It was sad to see the former diva perform that way. Diana Ross’ talent has left the building. (I must add that she looks pretty good for an old broad) (I’m a 49 year old Black woman - please no PC police). Brandon gone - Oh well. Someone previously mentioned that Sanjaya was in the top 3 as per some website - Heh-heh-heh. I HATE the stupid car commercials they force them to do. ---
**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:** [March 15, 2007, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-march-13-14/395798/190 "2007-03-15T13:47:19Z")
I’m just glad it’s not on tonight and not every show will be two hours long. American Idol plays havoc with my bedtime, and my ass is sure dragging today…If the show doesn’t stay interesting (say, if Blake got sent home way too soon), I could quit watching. That’s right…quit anytime I want. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-march-13-14/395798/191 "2007-03-15T13:49:37Z")
[QUOTE=Kalhoun] I was completely annoyed by the stupid ensemble performance. [/QUOTE] Not to be too self-centered or anything, but that was my fault. I was happy happy joy joy that “Stop! In the Name of Love” wasn’t included in the Tuesday competition, but the universe has a way of balancing things out. Or going negative: the only thing worse that a solo of that song is the group sing. [QUOTE=Sampiro] That rendition of _Lovechild_ was- oh my god— I’m blonde, blue eyed, own every recording of GYPSY on CD and even I’m not that much of a middle class WASP. It’s probably better than if Sanjaya sang _Ol’ Man River_ but that’s about as far as I’ll go. I didn’t think Simon panned it half as much as he should have. [/QUOTE] I think something was lost on everyone with that song. First Paula calls it “uptempo” (as in, make it fun!) and then Ryan’s narrative last night described it as “bringing the love”. Isn’t it about someone who grew up illegitimate and poor and even though she really loves the guy, she’s leaving him so she won’t get pregnant? Yeah, really uptempo love song there. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-march-13-14/395798/192 "2007-03-15T13:56:19Z")
[QUOTE=xnylder] I agree. On top of it all, this week featured not only one of the worst group sings, but one of the worst Ford commercials. Bad song choice, bad costumes, bad directing… The only vehicle that commercial would inspire anyone to buy would be a getaway car. [/QUOTE] Is that the stupid “Smoke on the Water” thing? IT NEEDS TO DIE. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-march-13-14/395798/193 "2007-03-15T13:56:20Z")
The problem with the Dialidol system is that the group of people who use it are not a random cross-section of viewers. They’re people who use the internet a lot and who are savvy enough to install a program like that and use it. So it probably best reflects the choices of college students and young adults, who make up only a small part of the audience. I think it’s fair to say that the opinions of the 54 year old men and women is not really represented by the Dialidol scores. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-march-13-14/395798/194 "2007-03-15T14:03:04Z")
[QUOTE=gigi] Not to be too self-centered or anything, but that was my fault. I was happy happy joy joy that “Stop! In the Name of Love” wasn’t included in the Tuesday competition, but the universe has a way of balancing things out. Or going negative: the only thing worse that a solo of that song is the group sing. [/quote] Your “jinx” was noted and obsessed over for the remainder of the evening. 😉 Face it…that song is like an indelible Sharpie. It will never go away. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-march-13-14/395798/195 "2007-03-15T14:45:57Z")
The biggest problem I see with **Sanjaya** is that he doesn’t seem to know how to sing “with” the music. I think he made it this far doing his acapella audition stuff. But have him try to sing with a band and he just gets lost in the mix. His volume and tempo are just all wrong. He only sounds good when it’s him going solo with nothing else. Compare him to the champ **Melinda**. She just blends into the music, comes in right on cue, perfect volume, a true pro. She definately sounds better “with” a band than acapella. Kind of like trying to teach some kid who always performed dance moves on his own to suddenly learn to dance choreograph style with others. He just gets lost in the mix. ---
**Author:** ![xnylder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/bbce88/32.png) [@xnylder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xnylder)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-march-13-14/395798/196 "2007-03-15T15:08:58Z")
[QUOTE=Kalhoun] Is that the stupid “Smoke on the Water” thing? IT NEEDS TO DIE. [/QUOTE] No, this one was Modest Mouse, “Float On”. I suppose I should be grateful they didn’t slaughter a classic song, just a classic car. \ ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-march-13-14/395798/197 "2007-03-15T15:38:45Z")
[QUOTE=Sam Stone] The problem with the Dialidol system is that the group of people who use it are not a random cross-section of viewers. They’re people who use the internet a lot and who are savvy enough to install a program like that and use it. [/QUOTE] Also, (unless things on the technical end have changed since last year), it’s also limited to those with dial-up access. With broadband becoming more and more the standard, we’ll be seeing fewer people being able to use Dialidol. Fewer users = less accurate results. ---
**Author:** ![Girl\_Next\_Door](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@Girl\_Next\_Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Girl_Next_Door)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-march-13-14/395798/198 "2007-03-15T16:05:43Z")
[QUOTE=Hal Briston] Also, (unless things on the technical end have changed since last year), it’s also limited to those with dial-up access. With broadband becoming more and more the standard, we’ll be seeing fewer people being able to use Dialidol. Fewer users = less accurate results. [/QUOTE] We freeze-framed the very end of the show last night during the credits and there is a blurb there saying, in effect, that American Idol reserves the right to discount votes they deem to have been generated by power-dialing apps. Is this new? We were quite suprised to see it. Kinda renders DialIdol moot, doesn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![yellowval](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/919ad9/32.png) [@yellowval](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowval)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-march-13-14/395798/199 "2007-03-15T16:39:48Z")
I’m a little late coming into the thread this week, since I was out most of the day yesterday. Anyway, I didn’t think anyone was particularly good this week, including Diana Ross. My rankings would be: 1. Lakisha 2. Melinda 3. Stephanie 4. Jordin 5. Gina 6. Phil 7. Blake 8. Chris S. 9. Chris R. 10. Brandon 11. Haley 12. Diana Ross 13. Sanjaya I probably wouldn’t have ranked Lakisha over Melinda, but that song Melinda sang was horrible. I didn’t think Jordin was half as good as the judges did. Chris S. and Blake’s arrangements were dreadful. I think the reason Gina can’t “pronunciate” is because of that huge tongue stud. She needs to remove it because it makes her sound lispy when she sings. Has Diana Ross always been this bad of a singer? Because if she had sung like that in an AI audition, they’d have laughed her out of the room. The notes were all shrieky until she went into vibrato and then the tone was okay. I still only ranked her one notch above Sanjaya. ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-march-13-14/395798/200 "2007-03-15T17:00:53Z")
I was amazed that Paula got the word “enunciate” right while Diana Ross did not. And speaking of the latter, her performance was dismal. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-march-13-14/395798.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-idol-march-13-14/395798.md?page=11)