Re Walter’s spoiler: Only the Elliot part surprises me.
Another Minnesotan checking in. I thought he was talking about a sled, too. That’s what a toboggan is, right? The term I hear most is either “hat” or “stocking cap” when referring to winter headwear.
In other news, I was really crabby last night. Then Paris started to sing Miami Sound Machine, and it got worse. I’d say it was the song that made me cry, but it was just the latest in a list of bad things yesterday. Mandisa was the only one who made me smile, so that makes her the best. Katharine was pretty good, too. Ayla looked like shit. Whatever she did with her hair last night, I suggest she never do it again.
My only comment is that the girls need to stop trying to sing Melissa Etheridge, or any other song that requires those low notes. You can barely hear them when they try.
I definitely think a guy will win this year. None of the girls were all that great this time. I’d have to put Mandisa at the top of the women, though.
I thought they sang Live?
I was only talking about song choice, not the actual performances. If you want to know more, here is the url: http://mjsbigblog.com/categories/americanidol/
There’s no verification at all, but the blog got last week’s songs right for the guys.
Oh yes! This is a major peeve of mine. I can’t hear the first half of anyone’s songs. Also, last night I couldn’t catch the words to most of Ayla’s selection…my husband and I were calling out bits and pieces whenever we understood them. It was just mush. In fact, the reason I liked Paris so much in her audition was her enunciation. Seems to be gone now.
Well, my reaction is a little different from Walter Windchill’s.
If the spoiler is correct, Taylor is dead to me. Not the best choice for Elliott, but I don’t really have a big problem with it. I do agree that Kevin is screwed and Ace is going to suck. Another good choice for Chris, I think. Though I’m wondering how he’ll pull it off, since the original is a duet with Seether and Amy Lee.
I’m puzzled as to what the judges thought was so great about the Pickler last night. Oh, well.
Kinnik and Melissa can pack up and start leaving already.
There could be a showdown between Lisa and Mandisa, unless there’s an upset.
Not in many parts of the South. A toboggan is a ski cap. A sled is a sled.
That’s very interesting. I did not know that. It’s also good, because Taylor would look really dumb walking around with a sled on his head.
My sentiments exactly. The only question is, will they go for Lisa, the beautiful girl with the great voice or Mandisa, the fat and beautiful girl with the “hands-down-best-voice-the-show-has-ever-found” sound? If Mandisa doesn’t win, there is no justice in this world.
Even though I adore Lisa, too. Too bad they had to be in the same competition.
See what I mean now about the hyperbole, Liberal? 
I don’t get the ridiculous over-praising of Mandisa. She’s maybe the 5th best singer on the show at best. Is it just because people want a fat girl to win?
No, it’s because people think she has a fantastic voice. It’s all subjective, you know. In my opinion Mandisa and Fantasia are the two best singers ever on AI.
Now, let’s all get this straight— what singer and song you like is completely and totally subjective. Just because I think Mandisa and Fantasia were the two top voices ever on AI does NOT mean that you (and by “you” I mean anyone reading this post) have to agree with me. We can discuss-- even heatedly-- why we have come to the conclusions that we have, but THERE IS NO WRONG ANSWER TO THE QUESTION “WHO IS THE BEST SINGER ON AMERICAN IDOL, EVER”.
Unless you think it’s Macalakiakala. Then you are totally and completely wrong. Just as wrong as you would be if you said Bob Dylan has a fantastic singing voice.
Let’s just say she has a large demographic that’s voting for her. 
Yes, indeed I do. That’s why I’m so careful to temper my remarks about Chris Daughtry. He certainly is not the greatest rock singer who ever lived; he’s merely one of the top two or three.
She’s great. And way better than Fantasia, I might add.
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Hi, all. Apologies for this hit-and-run post… I won’t be able to get online again until the topic of conversation will be about the guys’ performances. But…
Last night during the applause after the first (Paris’) performance, there was (unless I was imagining things) spoken word audio that was inadvertantly aired. I was under the impression that it was Simon’s mike that was mistakenly turned on, but it could have been director’s instructions.
The words were something like “Don’t repeat yourself and be sure to make a point.” I was just asking a co-worker about this and she hadn’t heard it. Did anyone else catch this or know anything about it? I’d really be curious to know if it was Simon. Thanks in advance…
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I heard something too, although I don’t remember what was said (and it’s already been deleted from my DVR, so I can’t go back and check). I could totally believe Simon giving those instructions to Paula, though, trying to get her to focus through her drunken haze.
PoorYorick - Don’t get me wrong, I understand that his job, once the finallists are selected, is to stir the pot and keep viewers tuned in. I’m not questioning his entertainment value. But GEEZ, does he have to be that freaking arrogant? Here, I’ll give another example…on the last pre-Hollywood show, there was this one contestant who was off-key. Not horrible, just off. He flat out tore her apart, even going as far as to say that she had absolutely no future whatsoever in music. Ahem…prelims, remember? Thumbs up or thumbs down. That’s his job. That’s all he has to do. You’ll never convince me that there’s any point to adding a 45-second tirade other than mindless chest-thumping.
Again, I have nothing against predicting eliminations; that’s always been part of the fun. But at least wait until all the performances have been completed, for crying out loud. It’s a shame, because he did sound like he actually had a clue (“It was a decent performance…I’d like to see you try something with more range…I think you’re safe for this week.”) before this tripe.
phungi - Tip 'o the iceberg. http://home.hawaii.rr.com/dkwff and go to “Periodic Stuff” to take a look at my truly dizzying range of tastes in music.
I found out about TMBG when my sister became a big fan of them for whatever reason. When I started building my mp3 library, my worldview had developed to the point where they actually sounded pretty cool.
DtC - She’s been staying within her element so far, so at least she has good sense, and what the heck, she’s entertaining. Don’t really think the pop music scene needs another “diva” singer, but I wouldn’t mind her sticking around for a while.
And don’t underestimate the fat 'n cuddly factor, either. Remember, singing abilty alone guarantees absolutely nothing (the name Brittney Spears ring a bell?). A huge portion of it is mainstream appeal, marketability, image. Kelly Clarkson’s had her due; maybe America really wants a hefty, unglamorous idol this time. We’ll see.
Re. Kellie Pickler: This is just speculation, but I’m pretty sure she’s just trying to keep her worldliness from becoming an issue. Getting on stage in front of a live audience and countless millions of viewers at home is tough enough; the last thing she needs is endless questions about why she knows this but not that, whether she’s faking it, etc. Just act dumb all around, and she can avoid stupid questions and do her damn job. I’d be astonished if her dumbness (real or not) actually ended up costing her votes.