Idol-ing
Published February 13, 2003
American Idol appears to be growing up: downplaying image in favor of (at least perceived) singing talent. This week's finalists were the refrigerator-sized Reuben Studdard, the not-lean Kimberley Locke, and thrid place went to skinny white geek Clay Aiken: not an "image contestant" in the bunch.
Reuben has a sweet, soulful tenor and ironically performed "Superstar," originally made famous by the Carpenters in '71, but Reuben's version was much closer to Luther Vandross' '84 version (more on that shortly). I didn't think he was quite on, but the judges creamed (they love that Vandrossian smooth soul, cram-a-shitload-of-notes into every phrase style), and Reuben is a lovable lump who has real talent - his vocal gymnastics seem to genuninely derive from his emotional attachment to the song rather than from a look-at-me egocentrism.
Kimberley is a pretty-if-chunky, serious young woman with imposing jazz/standards pipes - not really a "pop" singer but an imposing talent and one who seemed to intimidate the judges (even dick-knob Simon, who nonetheless couldn't resist mumbling something snotty about her personality) with sheer talent. She was a little stiff but whipped out a soaring, slightly showy "Over the Rainbow."
Third place and a spot on the wildcard eligibility roster (I can't find anything on the show's site the rules or how the wildcard works) went to Clay, who looks like a young "my favorite martian" but skinnier, one of those uncomfortable in his skin people who all of a sudden come into focus when they begin to perform. After playing Journey's "Open Arms" for countless school dances and weddings and all in the '80s, I flinch involuntarily when it begins and feel the bile rising up my gastrointestinal system, but Clay gave it a worthy ride and wowed the pophound-judges, even Randy who let us know he played with Journey at some point - wow. Journey blows chunks but that's neither here nor there - Clay is a Mr. Peepers who can croon.
That both the judges and America voted for these three is a testament to their talent, but also to the maturation of the audience and the show itself, allowing deviation from the cookie-cutter young, charismatic and cute image that the first version adhered to. Though I can appreciate and enjoy talent, I am still waiting for someone to sing a song I actually like - may not happen.
As to Reuben's tune "Superstar": I wonder if anyone realized what a wry commentary on the very star system the show is celebrating the song is? Leon Russell and Bonnie Bramlett wrote it in the late 60s and Rita Coolidge sang it on Joe Cocker's Mad Dogs and Englishmen live album, then Richard Carpenter heard Bette Midler do it on the Tonight Show in '71 and rearranged it for Karen. Luther recorded it in '84.
- Idol-ing
- Published: February 13, 2003
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- Section: Video
- Filed Under: Video: Television, Video: News, Video: Music, Music: Pop, Music: News
- Writer: Eric Olsen
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Comments on this articleComments
Man, ur comments suck hard! You should not be downing all these extremely talented people! I believe that any of the contestants left except for Julia DeMato, Trenyce, & Kimberly Locke
have awsome talents and deserve to be where they are. Ruben has a georgous voice and his size doesn't matter. Kimberly is no where near chunky and has, in my opinion, the best voice of all the females left in this competition. Clay amazes me every time he sings, I wanna know where that awsome voice is coming from. He's so cute and he'z already seduced every one on the show and everyone in America, just look at how far he'z gotten. Joshua Gracin has been my personal favorite though, aside from Clay. Joshua is a Marine, I love his dedication to his country, his vocal talents, and he's pretty damn cute if I do say so myself. Not only that he can challenge Simon to pushups! What else can you want in one man!
GET OFF CLAY! Image shouldn't be what matters, the contestants on this show are all more talented then anyone from the previous and Clay the best of them!
He may well be - I am a fan.
What corey clark is doing in there, i have no idea. Damato is pathetic and needs a tomatoe thrown at her. Studdard and Clay are so far ahead of the game that the rest seem to be clutching on straws.
Why are you so mean posting such bad comments about the contestants!! Ruben may be big, but thats no reason to call him refrigerator sized. Kimberly Locke may be big too, but that's okay. And Clay may be skinny but thats alright too. People have feelings you know! They read that, their feelings will be hurt. They can't help the way they look. So, you need to shut up and stop posting such bad comments. You suck really bad. And appearance doesn't matter!!!!
Sorry about the four comments i posted all at the same time. By the way, Clay is not a geek!!!!!!! Kimberly is not snotty!!!! Ruben is a great singer. You are just jelaous that they are on TV and you aren't!!!!!!!!
i just think this is some wet behind the ears, snotty nose punk, who has nothing better to do but put some bull shit website up about awesome talent. reuben, REUBEN, REUBEN, HOW MUCH MORE CAN YOU SAY ABOUT HIM BUT THAT HE IS A REFRIGERATOR SIZED man, but ohh so talented. ohh just look at him on that stage, he lights it up with his smile and his voice and the words, he done the beautiful. u are probably just some red face, redneck, pimple head, ugly braced faced geek that has no life. this makes you feel good. but you know, whatever happens on that show, these people came far....further then u will ever go with ur lil bullshit site. so get a life..loser boy or chick
I think America has really stepped up as far as the final contestants go in America Idol. I really hope Reuben wins because I think he is the best from his personality all the way to the smooth tunes he lets out. I think he is absolutely great. He seems like that laid back kind of brother. I also like Kim Locke. She's really good she has one of the most powerful voices I have ever heard. These two in my eyes should be the last two standing but let's see what America thinks.
I don't care what anybody says about Reuben and Kimberly. They are great performers. I think they both have the most amazing voices and they are two of the most beautiful people I have ever seen. Tricia says it right when she mentioned how Reuben's smile just lights up the stage. He seems so cool, calm, and collective. Kim L. is one of the most beautiful girls I have ever seen and I don't think she's that big. And who cares what this jerk feels about the way these contestants look because it has nothing to do with that they are two totally amazing people and I am probably their biggest fan. As far as making comments about Clay that jerk probably wishes he was Clay.
clay and ruben are, by far, the best in this competition. I also like trenyce. she has such a powerful voice! Clay aiken is my personal favorite....and is it just me, or is anybody else tired of hearing that clay does not fit the "popstar" profile??? uh, how about the boy can SING and that's all there is to it!! if clay's looks were such an issue...uh how about ruben? and kimberly locke? and frenchie davis???? defenitely not your "popstar" profile - BUT talented indeed! so let's open our eyes and look a the big picture. A great voice and a great personality, make a GREAT american idol.
clay and ruben are, by far, the best in this competition. I also like trenyce. she has such a powerful voice! Clay aiken is my personal favorite....and is it just me, or is anybody else tired of hearing that clay does not fit the "popstar" profile??? uh, how about the boy can SING and that's all there is to it!! if clay's looks were such an issue...uh how about ruben? and kimberly locke? and frenchie davis???? defenitely not your "popstar" profile - BUT talented indeed! so let's open our eyes and look a the big picture. A great voice and a great personality, make a GREAT american idol.
Funny that you "blogcritics" should call yourselves superior, when this blog entry is by far disgustingly immature. I suppose that your looks and voice are both amazing--- and if they aren't, then you should not judge Ruben Studdard, Kimberly Locke, and Clay Aiken (who happen to be my three favorite finalists) the way you have done. Ruben Studdard has stage presence, voice, personality...he simply owns the crowd--- I'd like to see YOU try to do better. Kimberly Locke is graceful, ladylike, and has not only the refined talent, but the personality, and the modesty. And perhaps she doesn't have Kimberly Caldwell's body, but I think she's much prettier. All right, and Clay Aiken (you know, the "skinny white geek")--- dare I say you're jealous of him? If I were a guy, I certainly would be. He is the one that has it ALL. He has the voice of an angel--- can you sing like that? He has the style, the charisma, the personality, the gentlemanly manner, the fans, the fame, the intelligence...and not to mention, he has the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen. Clay is hot. You know why he doesn't "fit the popstar profile?" Because he's too good for it. He's too good for American Idol, but I'm glad he's on that show. You, my friend, are probably just jealous out of your mind that you aren't Clay Aiken.
Why don't you guys quit talkin trash......and corey is the bomb-sex-ay fella!!!! holla'!
I was hoping Reuben would win after he is from Alabama, like me. Anyways I saw where you put that Clay is a skinny white geek....ummm no actually he is cool, you are just jealous. You have no right to call Rueben "refrigerator sized" that is really rude. You are mean and you said that Kimberly is snotty, I thought she was sweet! Besides you just wish you could sing and had talent like them! YOU ARE SO JEALOUS!!!!!!! You are mean and so RUDE!!!!!!! YOU NEED JESUS and dont say you have him cause you don't. JESUS SAYS DONT HATE!!! GO TO CHURCH!!! And nobody is perfect! You ain't even up there singing so therefore you have no room to talk!!!
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