I've never understood the point of group auditions in "American Idol." We're looking for a solo pop star, and there's no other point in the competition when these singers will be judged on how well they perform together. Sure, there are the awful little scripted numbers in the later rounds, but those are mere fluff and not actually part of the competition. The only real reason for the group round seems to be to manufacture some drama. If that was the plan, it fell flat tonight, as most groups got on fairly well. Those that did well did so as a team, and those that failed--well, for the most part, they failed together.
We also got a better look at some contestants who we had only caught glimpses of before tonight, and a few faces, like Carrie Underwood and Jennifer Todd, were notably absent from the proceedings. Interestingly enough, only one of my top picks was kicked off tonight, while the fate of a few others remains unknown.
The Loser
Poor Elizabeth Pha couldn't catch a break with her group. A big part of her failure was her inability to remember the lyrics, a fault which the judges were willing to overlook once, but not twice. Liz has a great voice and, despite the braces, a decent look, but she couldn't get along with her team and she couldn't turn out a decent performance. She may be a beautiful person, as she insisted through tears to the camera after her dismissal, but we won't be seeing her again on "AI4." Previous odds: 14:1. My first bad pick, and hopeful my only one.
The Winners
Jamie Koehler was a long shot with 500:1 odds previously, and, at first, I thought my prediction of a short "AI" career for Jamie would play out. It was not to be so, however, as the judges must have been feeling generous. Despite his miserable performance, they were impressed enough with a risky song choice that they were willing to give him, and his group, one more chance. Jamie is still a questionable bet, though, with roughly 50:1 odds.
Mario Vazquez didn't distinguish himself in earlier rounds, and I don't feel that he did here either. His performance was solid, but he didn't really stand out from the crowd. While that may have been good enough to get him through tonight, it's crunch time next week, and I think that Mario will be one of the casualties. I'll up earlier odds of 50:1 to 40:1 just on principle.
Dezmond Meeks proved that he can sing and dance, even if he's not quite as good at the former as he is at the latter. I had called him a long shot previously with 100:1 odd, so color me surprised that he made it through tonight's round. I still question whether he'll make it much further, though, so I'd put his current chances at about 25:1.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Temple Stark
Thanks oir the update. Means I didn't have to watch. I did watch most of last night's. I was surprised they let all three rockers thorugh. Constantine can sing. It's stupid they're making the rockers sing Be my baby and Letters n' shit.
They get to pick their own songs somewhere down the roads don't they? If so, that should be worth watching.
2 - mau
i just want to know if the contestant form the Philippines will go to the next round...
3 - Eric Olsen
thanks Scott, super as always. I think they do the group thing because, besides breaking up the monotony, if they do make it to the finals they have to work closely with the other contestants on group routines, tours, and simply being in the finals requires them living together, getting along, etc. This weeds out those who truly can't fit in
4 - ZMethos
Another reason for group singing may be that it's easier for the judges to begin narrowing things down when they hear three people together. As in, "Oh, this person's not bad but clearly not as good as these other two."
5 - Tina
Did the cute little "praise and worship" minister from Texas make it through? Sorry, haven't learned their names yet. Also, what about the very young blond that was never supposed to be able to speak?
Thanks!
6 - Scott Pepper
Tina, I believe you are referring to Dallas youth pastor Jeffrey Johnson, who did not make the cut last night.
The young man who had the tracheotomy is Anthony Fedorov, and he did make it through last night's auditions.
7 - Matt
I like Fedorov. He's from right outside Philly.
8 - Jac
I believe. Mario Vazquez will be up there with the rest. He is very very CUTE .. and I fancy him.. thanks though.. for giving your opinions.
chau!
9 - Annie
I always assumed the group auditions were to allow for the most possible contestants to not only be judged, but be seen performing by the TV audience.
They want the viewers to become involved with the contestants, so the keep tuning in, right?
10 - Kathy
I can't believe you liked Constantine and not Mario! Mario knocks my whole family into orbit when he sings and Constantine doesn't even get an all right, he is so affected in his singing.
As to predictions, it is going to be Mario, Anwar and David Brown in the top five for sure!
11 - mymy
constantine and mario in the top 10!!!
YEAH!
12 - Dave
On an interesting note: three favorites had website addresses registered in their names on Nov 22nd of last year(when the semifinal rounds were completed).
What makes this more interesting is that they were all registered by the same UK company.
We all know the producers of AI are British. Could this be a clue of who the semifinalists are? If so, it was pretty careless and stupid.
The websites I'm referring to are as follows:
- scottsavol.com (Scott Savol),
- anwarrobinson.com (Anwar Robinson), and
-vonzellsolomon.com (Vonzell Solomon).
I haven't checked many others. F.Y.I. Constantine's site has been up for a number of years prior because he has been a professional in the entertainment industry (touring company of "Rent")
13 - Nelson
I got Mario up in the top 5 guys along with Anwar,David Brown, the "Usher-Clone" Travis Tucker and Nikko. However, Scott and Constantine(if he picks songs that are within his voice range and style) may be some wild cards that can make them pop up in the top 5.
As for the ladies, I got Carrie Unerwood slightly ahead of Lindsey along with Jessica Sierra, "Caffeine-injected" Mikalah Gordon and Vonzell Solomon. Again, Celena and Melinda can be wildcards if they perform their songs consistently and make past to the 12.
My final prediction (based on this week)
Mario still got the hot spot with his boyish look and humble style but the story behind Anwar can easily make him the next American Idol.
14 - AI FAN
DAVID BROWN ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!
15 - Eric Olsen
can he hit the Brown note?
16 - Temple Stark
Scott, I put up all your most recent American Idol posts up at Advance.net.
As a true obsessive (in a good way) you're doing a great job and making the show interesting in words.
- Temple
17 - dbrown
I cannot for the life of me remember who did the origional song that Constantine did tonite? I like the fact that rockers are being given a chance and think they will suprise everyone with their following.
18 - Jess
DBrown, Seal did the song he covered for last night's show. I don't know if anyone did it before him.
19 - dbrownrts
Thanks Jess.
20 - Vanillalicious
DAVID BROWN SHOULD DEFINITELY WIN THE AMERICAN IDOL CONTEST! HE IS ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL AND TALENTED. DAVID, IF YOU ARE READING THIS---HIT A GIRL UP!! Vanillalicious77 ON YAHOO MESSENGER! KISSES! :)
21 - Faz
what was Constantine Maroulis song?
22 - shoe fetish 12
I think David Brown is going to win it all. He's got the voice (obviously being a favorite of the judges since try-outs), he's got the personality (he's confident yet humble), and looks... HE IS FINEEEE! David is making it all the way, and you can be sure that I will be voting for him every episode. Love ya
23 - Vanillalicious
I have never felt so sad and disappointed in my whole life for another individual as I do for David Brown. Why America did you vote this star off the show?? Are you all insane? That's rhetorical. Anyways, I know he will continue to shine on in whatever he does. God has blessed him in many ways and that should always provide him some form of solace. Love ya sexy---and I still think that if you come across this note that you should holla at me D.B., aiight! The name is vanillalicious77 on yahoo messenger.
24 - Andrew
Constantine is a reality TV whore. He was on the show "Elimidate" a few years ago...UPN was re-running it tonight. (3/2/05)
25 - Shay
David got kicked off...damn...=( I want him lol