Can the dreaded "Karaoke" label be avoided? How did A.I. score an Elvis week anyway?
Behind the Elvis Theme Week on American Idol one only has to look for a man named Robert F.X. Sillerman. He's a Wall Street operator and sort of a 'Donald Trump' of the media business. A little background: he sold a group of radio stations to Westinghouse (now Viacom) in 1989 for $389 million. Less than a decade later he sold more stations to Hicks Muse for $2.1 billion. He had dealings with Clear Channel in 2000 when he sold a company that owned concert venues for a reported $3 billion. A real wheeler dealer.…
Article comments
26 - Jewels
Guppusmaximus - I read what you said, I apologize if you feel ran over and ignored...not my intention at all!
"I never proclaimed that Taylor is trying to be the "New E", I was just saying that with his vocal ability(which is soulful,blues)he should stick with a straight forward tune or he will end up looking like Chris "Goatboy" Daughtry(Straining and turning colors)."
(I love this comment.)
You are right with your assessment that A.I. has been lacking in producing talent - they've been all about the money, and going about it in a cheesy way. That's why sites like VFTW have caught my eye; they're all about pointing this out. And, true, if Hicks doesn't take top spot he'll be fine career wise, but wouldn't it be cool if he did win it; I'm not sure Idol would know how to really handle it - and I doubt Hicks will allow them to manipulate him. If Sillerman is as intelligent as he seems on paper to be, he would be wise to use his influence to have A.I. marketing take on a new direction.
27 - Carrie
Jewels -- Excellent writing once again. Oh, how I enjoy your insight. :)
28 - DEBBIE
With interest I have been reading the comments about Chris's resemblance to a goat. All along I have seen great similarities to the Creature of the Black Lagoon. Not bashing him, just making an observation. His looks and demeanor are rather cold and icy to me while Taylor has a charm that exudes warmth. I loved this article, and could not agree more with the observations. When I read the pro messages about Taylor, it is as though I had written them myself. Thank you, thank you, thank you for this article!
29 - A Better American Idol
Thanks for the info about Sillerman. I knew the part about Elvis's estate purchase, but was unaware that he also had purchased A.I.'s mother ship.
As far as this year's race, Taylor is certainly the most unique, and I love what he does...but I also enjoy Elliot and Katharine. Chris...well, the guy's got a cannon in his throat, but he needs to learn how to sing. Can't stand that crazy vibrato.
I know Taylor's got the big fan base...and I think he's likely to win. I'll certainly be happy with that outcome. But Katharine has an amazing voice, and Elliott is right behind her.
But the fun is in the watching, isn't it? ;-)
30 - Mary Jo
Somebody needs to pay attention to how much Taylor resembles George Clooney. Brush his hair back and to the side and in some shots he is a double!
Get the word out on this look alike. He's so cool. A great performer/entertainer, singer, sincere, and deserves to win!
31 - Jewels
Mary Jo, I think Tay is much better looking than George Clooney! Clooney did a great turn in O Brother Where Art Thou, but Taylor's got him beat! Wonder how long before Tay's on the cover of People? ;)
Carrie, thank you for your comments, good to see you here spreading more Taylor Love!
32 - Girl600
Great article, I found you by looking up their trip to Graceland on Google News. My first time here. I read this entry on my show.
33 - Jewels
Girl600, what show? Just curious. Thanks.
34 - don brown
Taylor Hicks: is one 'special person' you better grab him now, or you will lose out! just like Elvis Presley a man said no! but, anouther man said 'yes. Taylor is the same but differint. he has that~(his own style)to back himself.listen to your radio, look at t.v. check out your p.c. people are talking about the ('soul man')Taylor Hicks. i am 58 years old. but love it when some one like this guy comes along.I set back and just weight to see who? will end up helping him.That person wont regreat it. TAYLOR HICKS YOUR LIFE IS ABOUT TO CHANGE FOR THE BEST. Don
35 - Jewels
Mr. Brown, I began following him from his initial audition on A.I. After he opened his mouth, mine fell open! Truly a great find on such a show as this...Make sure you're voting this week, it is crucial! I love hearing the enthusiasm so many folks have for The Soulman!
36 - Brittany
I am a BIG Elvis Presley fan. Taylor Hicks is weird and stupid. He can not dance. not dance. If he does a 50's number and tries to dance like Elvis, I am gonna GO OFF! I do not think that Chris should change up or modernize the rock hits. It would help to get more fans, but clearly, that's not needed! I think that Katherine will do the best if she does some ballads. I think it's a shame that Mandesa and Paris were voted off because they would do great although Paris did Fever already and Taylor did Something. Overall, Taylor Hicks sux.
37 - JUDY
TAYLOR HAS CAPTURED AMERICAS HEART.
LADY'S AND GENTLEMEN, OUR AMEIRCAN IDOL WINNER TAYLOR HICKS HAS NOW LEFT THE BUILDING:}
GOOD LUCK AND GOD SPEED, TAYLOR.
38 - Jewels
Brittany, it's S U C K S. Not sux. Just so we're clear. I hope he dances his sweet ass off, my only regret is I can't see you "GO OFF", does your head spin round and round or what?
Take two WOOO WOOO's and don't call me in the morning.
39 - Sherry L
Jewels another great article about Taylor. I love Taylor and after his outstanding performance last week I no longer care about any negative comments people make about him.
I know that I and a lot of people think he's great and for those who don't nothing can be said to change their minds. And if they still don't like him after last week, I doubt there is anything he can do to change their minds either. They're the one's missing out.
40 - Gail from Florida
I remember watching Taylor's first audition on American Idlo. He sang a ballad. The three judges asked if he would sing something a little more upbeat. He closed his eyes, hit his hands against his thighs, and sang. I have no idea what the song was, but I moved up to the edge of my chair while he sang, and thought, "My God, who is this guy? He is wonderful - he reminds me of Elvis." I have been a fan of Taylor ever since, NOT because he is EQUAL to Elvis (no one ever will equal Elvis), but because he sings from the soul, moves from the soul, dances from the soul, and reaches out to everyone from the soul -- as did Elvis. He REMINDS me of Elvis. I watched Elvis on TV when he was only shown from the waist up. But every teenager (and adult - and young child, knew how Elvis moved. Taylor has his own unique style - as did Elvis. If anyone can sing an Elvis song, it is Taylor - the next American Idol.
41 - Girl600
Its a podcast on iTunes, 'Girl600'. I do a weekly audio review of the performances.
42 - Jewels
Girl600 - I went on to Google you and found your site and listened to your run down; you were funny and kind - thanks! You're bookmarked so I can listen to other shows. Thanks.
43 - Jewels
Spoilers for tonight on the contestants;
Taylor Hicks: "In the Ghetto" (I posted that one on my blogsite last Thursday as my favorite pick) and "Jailhouse Rock" (I would have preferred "A Little Less Conversation" or "All Shook Up" but I think he can pull this one off.)
Elliott Yamin: "Trouble" and "If I Can Dream"
Chris Daughtry: "A Little Less Conversation" and "Suspicious Minds"
Katherine McPhee: "Hound Dog/All Shook Up" (?)and "Can't Help Falling in Love"
Remember these are just spoilers, based on a report garnered off of AOL.
44 - Donna
Taylor will keep the groove alive-the best all around performer- great style, charisma, beautiful southern r&b/soul style- The best idol to capture everyone's hearts - the next AI..Soul Patrol in tow!
45 - Donna
Taylor will keep the groove alive-the best all around performer- great style, charisma, beautiful southern r&b/soul style- The best idol to capture everyone's hearts - the next AI..Soul Patrol in tow!
46 - katelyn
I think tonight is going to be tough with the voting. Everyone was excellent.
47 - Jewels
No, everyone was not excellent. Let's look at Katharine. Really - obstacales in the mix, she should have gone naked - that's the only thing that would have saved her tonight. Predictions, Tay, Chris and Elliot - final three. God speed that's how it should be .......
48 - girl600
Jewel, a listener named Ana thanked me today for reading your post. I'm glad you are ok with me reading it, I was concerned about that part but it was so good that I knew my AI/Soul Patrol crew would love it. I gave her this page's link, (its also posted in the show's description), she (as most of my listeners are) is a huge TH fan.
49 - Jewels
girl600 - man getting the Hicks Word out Numero Uno - and hell you are fun! And - yo you gave out blogcritics name - so pimped them too - all good gal! thank you.
50 - NR Davis
Yeah, great, but she didn't answer the question: What show???
Oh, Ms. Richardson, thanks. Taylor did the job last night, didn't he?
Elliott: Very nice, indeed, but how come he rated the wailing band and backup dancers?
The Goat will continue bleating.
The Kat should go.
As to who will go, I don't know. Depends on how the Princess P vote is distributed, but I suspect Taylor is safe, safe, safe.
(Actually, if Paris' vote goes to Kat, there could be a tossup between Elliott and Chris and Chris' fanbase . If the Princess P vote goes to Elliott,
51 - Jewels
"Dial Idol" has Hicks on top AGAIN, this week and Elliott running a close second - Kat and Chris are virtually tied in last, with indications Chris is out. Actually, I will be somewhat surprised if Chris leaves, I am leaning toward Katharine. We may be looking at Taylor and Elliot top two. That is how it should be. Elliott really played the Idol game great last night.
I had chose "In the Ghetto", hoped he'd perform this one, posted it on my blog last Thursday. I loved the soul spin he gave it, just perfect Taylor. That would sound great on his new CD. "Jailhouse Rock", though was fun, I liked his beginning the song in the audience, and he was really good vocally. I knew when I saw the spoilers come over the AP, that definitely Cowell couldn't wait to say 'Karaoke'. Karaoke is doing the song (or try to) like the original whereas Hicks put his own vocal treatments in the song. I love his growl.
The real joke came when Daughtry did "Suspicious Minds", the sunglasses his attempt at (?). He was OK but, disagreeing with Simon, it didn't work for me. Randy had it right. Chris butchered "A Little Less Conversation", Taylor would have made that one great. Then we are entried to Daughtry's ramblings about his underwear. Please.
Katharine just flopped all the way around last night. Not wasting any more keystrokes on that.
Check out Desiree's article.
52 - robin
I like Taylor he rock's and Chris is ok and Kath is ok too I dont know Elliott has what it take's to still in it. But I think he will be the last 3 there.
53 - Taylor's fan
Chris was top one but I think Taylor is now, and Chirs is top 2 now, and the girl is top 3.
54 - Jewels
Good day, Ms. Davis, looks like Taylor's on top again. A previously reliable source is calling tonight a rocker shocker. We'll see tonight if they're still holding their accuracy rate.
I've been reading some of the press articles slamming Hicks, (I like info from both sides) most are piggybacking on each other about Hicks 'casting a spell on America'. Apparently one guy/gal wrote that in a piece, the others read it and are running with the idea. I hope he casts that spell straight to the number one slot.
Here's a link to one such article:Boston Herald
Oh, and Girl600 has one of those itunes podcast type shows she runs one everyday.
55 - NR Davis
Hey now, Ms. Richardson. I saw the prediction too, and my rock is SHOCKED. Or, in Ellen DeGeneres terminology, the news freaked my freak. I only hope it comes true. And it's such good news - and much deserved - for Elliott fans.
I read the Herald piece this morning, along with other naysaying news commentaries. Screw' em, I say. I'll buy Taylor's records - and more people will than the nattering newspaper nabobs of negativism and one Mr. Cowell possible could imagine. (Baseball cap tip to the late Spiro Agnew for the one positive he left behind - excluding, of course, his progeny.)
56 - robin
WHAT A SHOCK FOR CHRIS FAN'S I WAS SHOCK WHEN RYAN SAID HIS NAME. SORRY TO HERE THAT CHRIS IS NOT ON THE SHOW, HE WAS ONE OF MY PERSON I WAS VOTE FOR, I HELP TAYLOR WILL WIN NOW. PEOPLE DONT KNOW HOW TO VOTE, CHRIS WAS GOOD. KATH DID NOT DO GOOD THIS TIME SIMON SAY THAT.
NUMBER ONE FAN,
57 - SEE
TO BAD TO SAD CHRIS IS GONE. I DONT THINK THAT WAS NICE. HE IS SO MUCH BETTER THAN KATH. O'WILL HE WILL MAKE MUSIC SOMEWHERE. SORRY FAN'S TO HERE THAT HE IS GONE.
TAYLOR IS THE ROCK NOW.
58 - Jewels
Glad to see Robin and SEE joining the Taylor Hicks bandwagon. Kat should have been the one to go last night, but I had heard from a 'friend' that it was a rocker shocker night.
I thought they were going to have to carry Paula out on a stretcher. Hit her hard...that or the meds kicked up on high. I do love Paula though.
59 - who cares i'm just a kid????
taylor rocks he will win he has the whole package !!!!! i'd like to see all those people who say he can't dance dance in front of millions i think he could do it with out idol but its apparently assisted his popularity!!!! and im not just saying that cause im a birmingham native.