CU pointed out last night that I'm incredibly hard on the ladies of American Idol. I'm not sure why...but I expect considerably more out of them. Maybe I still use Kelly Clarkson as the proverbial gold standard...and if someone can't measure up to her, then don't bother. Now that I think about it, I think Kelly's the only female competitor I ever wanted to win. I couldn't stand Fantasia...Diana DeGarmo made my teeth hurt...Carrie Underwood wasn't my style, and Katharine McPhee made me want to poke myself with thousands of needles.
Having said that, some of the ladies last night...well, rocked the house. Going in, the only one I really liked was Melinda Doolittle. For me, I have to be able to connect with the performer...they have to seem genuine and enthusiastic. Case in point: Stephanie Edwards. No doubt she's a great singer, but ...and CU's actually the one who brought this up...she sang like someone just gave her band $600 to play at the prom. She was almost too polished...too professional. Who wants a pro to win American Idol? That's half the appeal of the show...plucking someone out of relative obscurity and then shoving them into the public's glaringly white-hot spotlight until they either crack in two or win a Grammy.
I also loved the performances of Jordin Sparks (who thankfully, didn't go all pageant-queen like Paris Bennett of yesteryear) and...oh my God...Lakisha Jones. What a way to end the show with, "And I'm Telling You (I'm Not Going)". I'd forgotten about her until they went through her audition montage, and CU and I remembered we were happy she was 27 with a 4-year old, as opposed to 19 with a 4-year old.
Remember yesterday when I was talking about AI moves that can help or hinder?
Mouth off to Simon about how even though you didn't hit the note well, you did hit it >> hinder
Sing anything from the Celine Dion catalogue >> hinder
Sing a big song when you know you can hit it >> help
I'm now changing my predictions...and am hoping it's Melinda Doolittle and Lakisha Jones in the final two. Although, heaven help both of them when the inevitable "Grunge Night" comes. All of the guys could go home before Spring officially begins and I really wouldn't be too crushed.
There's supposed to be a "big announcement" on the show tonight...and no, it isn't that Fantasia's going to sing.
I loved it when Simon came back at Gina's "I hit it" comment. Lakisha hit the notes and hit them well. She's a powerhouse and I hope she can find a song every week that will showcase her voice.
I have a feeling we are in for a long season.
Gina drove me nuts. If I want that kind of arrogance, I'll watch The Apprentice.
I see the problem being the same as when Jennifer Hudson and Fantasia were competing. The two or three really good singers hit the same voting demographic, and while people can vote for more than one person, two artists with the same style end up competing for the same votes. So a Melinda - Lakisha final two is improbable. A two-girl final two, possible, maybe Jordin versus the Melinda/Lakisha winner.
The boys need to cowboy up, they aren't used to the competition, they had a much easier run in Hollywood than the girls did.
What was the big announcement? I TiVo'd it and fast forwarded thru a lot of it. I am all about LaKisha and Melinda also. The boys should just all go home (except my little cutie Blake BeatBoxer from Seattle).
I have no idea...was so engrossed in The Office and waiting for Grey's I completely forgot AI was on. Go figure.
Anyone? Anyone? I read Fantasia was going to star in the Broadway production of The Color Purple...and that was announced last night on the show. I really hope that wasn't the big surprise.
I didn't watch it either, but heard it was a cut shot to the Quince (Quincy Jones) announcing the Fantasia was going to do tCoM, so yeah, I guess that was it.
I bet the producers pay attention to VoteForTheWorst, since they had Antonella on stage by herself, and called up Amy from the bench to kick her off.
Antonella is heating up in the tabloids. Check out Idontlikeyouinthatway.com
Oh. My. God. Lovely. That girl...all class.
I think the big announcement was all the "stars" who will make appearances on the show this season. Gwen Stefani, J-Lo, Jon Bon Jovi, Barry Gibb, etc... Not THAT big of an announcement.