American Idol, as always, is itching for a fight and I'm not talking about the type started by Simon Cowell last week when he got snippy about Ryan "Step on Me" Seacrest's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. (Simon reportedly said: "[The star] is ill-deserved. I cannot believe April 20 is going to be Ryan Seacrest Day. I am officially taking this day off my diary. Other people doing well just naturally makes me unhappy. I am officially taking this day off my diary.")
Me-ow.
And I'm not really talking about the inter-network rivalry, what with the May 25th broadcast sked including (1) the coronation of the next American Idol; (2) the double-length season finale of ABC's hit Lost; and (3) CBS's attempt to get any attention at all (and shed its rap as "the geezer network") by capitalizing on capital murder with the made-for-TV-movie, Amber Frey: Witness for the Prosecution.
As Tom Jicha, TV/Radio writer for the Orlando (Fl.) Sun-Sentinel reports, May 25, 2005 may become regarded as one of the most "recklessly scorched-earth scheduling" showdowns since February 11, 1979, when Gone With the Wind, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and the TV movie Elvis faced off. (Elvis, in another huge triumph for pop music, won.)
American Idol already is the 500-lbs. gorilla of the airwaves (for you international fans, there's a famous American joke that goes like this: Q: Where does a 500-lbs. gorrilla sit? A. Anywhere he wants.)
The show is such a gorilla that last week, when NBC's "Revelations" was deemed to have "held its own" next to American Idol, this was called "positive ratings news."
The NBC miniseries bowed at 15.6 million viewers, making it the most-watched NBC offering to go up against AI since a 2002 NBA finals game (an entry the NBC creative development team could hardly take credit for). Wow, no wonder you could hear the high-fives and corks popping at the NBC executive suites.
Not since Clay Aiken lost to Ruben Studdard has failing to cop the top spot been viewed so favorably.
The real smackdown American Idol is looking for now is one that will transform May 25th from "must see" tv for AI fans to mega-buzz night that draws in new non-AI viewers like zillions of gnats to a bright light.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - jennifer munez
i love u simon cowell u are so cute
2 - Eric Olsen
nice Sticker, super info and great style (sassy) - thanks!
3 - Stone
Yeah, I predict that Constantine will win, although I really like Vonzell. It would be interesting to see what the AI producers would do with a rock act.
4 - Sticker
eric- no, thank UUU, man!
5 - Sticker
stone--
as for what AI prods would do with a rock act, I think they are about to get some very free (to them) marketing research.
when PFTSOB's disc hits the market, they'll be able to see exactly what the critical and fan reaction is and go from there.
those lucky dogs at 19, I tell ya.
Con can pick it up and run with it or go in a totally different direction, saying that was then, this is now.
he's in the catbird seat if he wins
6 - Eric Olsen
good point - I was surprised how well produced the CD sounds, btw
7 - Sticker
and like I said on another thread, there are ways these guys can bring their bands along if they want to.
Ruben managed to get his band, Just a Few Cats, hired to go on the AI tour with him (at least some of the members).
If the PFTSOB really flies, watch for the band to be somewhere in Con's AI pic, assuming he wins
8 - Sticker
oh, and eric I meant to add--
on your observation about how well the Pray disc was produced
I think this says a lot about how serious and savvy these guys are. IOW, lots of people dream of making it, only some people work hard at it.
When you see a well-produced disc out of a group that's pretty much nowheresville (ok, they had fans, but you know what I mean), to me that shows they have the business/industry chops/know-how/instincts that they need to serve their cause very well.
9 - Eric Olsen
and he is the oldest of the finalists, also - he wouldn't have been eligible if they hadn't raised the age limit for this season
10 - Sticker
yes, I think Con's age--to the extent that corrollates with experience and maturity---helps him a lot with the AI audience/market.
The teens have an uphill battle on AI.
I'm not saying a LeAnn Rimes couldn't come along, but it's very unlikely.
You need some major experience on stage, in front of crowds, to do what the idols (at the least the ones who do it well) do every week
11 - Biggy Biggy
yeah
absolutely
I agree with you all
except you
oh yeah, and you
but you are cool
bye
12 - Sticker
okay
biggy
whatever
but you are cool
bye
13 - Evie
Oh my gosh, Dave, you have changed your tune about Bo. Thank you for a good article. If the finale you speak of includes Bo (which I know it will) you are cordially invited to a grand Bo Watch in Huntsville, Alabama at the Von Broun Civic Center. We took you to the "Whipping Post" where you were "Remedied" so now get in your "Vehicle" and come to Alabama to join us for the season finale! Let's watch Bo and Constantine battle it out!!
14 - Eric Olsen
who is Dave?
15 - Biggy Biggy
sticker
i am so glad you think i am cool
finally someone speaks some sense!!
bye
16 - Biggy Biggy
sticker
wait were you saying that I was cool or were you making fun of me?
I am cool.
bye
17 - Biggy Biggy
hey
wow
so far I have spoken complete non sense but here comes the real stuff…
AI is pimpin’.
Okay this is what I think...
vonzell is really amazing, she bring a fresh excitement to the stage and keeps us feeling gooooooooood!!!!!!
The only performance I liked of Carrie's was her very, very first one during the beginning performances, except for "we are strong, love is a battlefield...."
But that is also a rokin' song to begin with, but her version was still good.
Aside from my opinion on Carrie I think she has a good chance for being in the top three.
I dislike scott extremely. (No offense meant) his performances are nothing special and sometimes he is really rude.
ANWAR WAS MY FAVORITE
I CAN'T BELIEVE HE GOT KICKED OFF
I FEEL FOR YOU ANWAR BUDDIE
There is no doubt he will get a record any way.
Bo is sooooooo much better than Constantine. Bo's performances are autentic and you can tell he is the REAL rocker. With Anwar gone Bo could win.
I liked Constantine at the beginning of the show this year but I have grown to resent him. He is sooo vein and gross. He is always looking at the camera like he is the hotest guy on earth (which is impossible with guys like Orlando and Ashton around.)
I do not think his vocal performances are that fantastic anyway.
I think that Simon is right on target most of the time (exept when he would insult Anwar.) He just tells it like it is. I do think he could lay off on the harshness though.
Until lately, Randy has said the exact same thing fo rjust about everyones performance. This consist of...
posotive:
"dude(can be replaced with 'dawg')I give it up for you man! WOOF! WOOF! BARK! BARK!"
or...
negative:
"dude(can be replaced with dawg) I just wasnt feelin' it tonight, man. I think Your pitch was off or something.!? (muffled) woof. woof. bark. bark."
Ummm...
Does anyone see a problem here?
I mean, Randy what are you on?
Seriously, he's supposed to be a judge but sometimes he is just talking out of his toenail(can be replaced with butt.)
Paula is tooooo nice. Okay, She IS a nice break from Simons "hideous!" / "horrible!" / "you work at a hotel!(can be replaced with cruise ship)" but at some point the woman needs to stop dancing in the middle of the performance and actually listen to the contestants voice.
I am fan of Paula's career outside of American idol.
I am also a fan of Tom Petty, Geaorge Clinton(as in the singer of 'We Want the Funk") and prince aside from his drag Queen carreer. Jackson Brown is my idol.
I would also like to give a shout out to all my friends (Courtney *2, tori, hannah, Lucy and not Jackie. Just kidding. Jackie is included too.) I only mentioned girls from my class so noone get offended if you are not mention and you happen to know my true iddenity.
okay
bye
18 - patti
ya'll are all really funny!!!!! i mean that in a good way.
19 - Stuart
biggy biggy is the coolest person i know. She goes to my school....she should be Americas idol!!! Anyway, Scott is probably my least favorite out of them all. I can't beleive he is still on there. he is really no good. I have to say that all the girls impress me. But really, no one on the show this year is mega talented. I've seen better. Katy, i cant beleive you wrote "and not jackie" that is really mean. ok bye people. Write back if you think im cool
20 - soooooooo muuuuch
Hi,
I am writting to Stuart because I DO think that you are cool and this biggy biggy person seems even cooler!!!
Actually I think that biggy biggymight be the coolest person ever!!
But it is a tie between stuart and biggy.
I love american Idol!!
I am going to watch it right now.
Carrie is singing. It sounds preety good!!
She looks goooood!!
bye bye for now!!
21 - Biggy Biggy.
Thankyou
patti, stuart and soooooooo muuuuch.
Idol is on!!! got to go!!
bye
22 - Sticker
Biggy, how can you seriously ask if I am making fun of you.
I would not make fun of you.
You are too cool to make fun of.
Except maybe you are not as cool as Stuart.
Good thing this show comes on or this coolness here could go on forever.
I wish I went to your school, too.
But I am still cool.
That's why I write about cool shows, it makes me cool.
Oh, and I better include Jackie in this.
Jackie, you're included!
Okay, I gotta get back to doing some more of my cool writing.
Since I am a cool writer!
You'll agree that that's cool!
It's only, like, 17 hours until American Idol is on again.
Wow!!!
I am not making fun of anyone, so I hope y'all don't make fun of me.
bye
23 - Stuart
Hello people. hi tori. Hi sticker. Sticker, please stop saying how cool you are because no one is cooler than me.JUST BECAUSE MY NAME IS STUART DOESN'T MEAN THAT IM A BOY. I guess that is all i have to tell ya'll
24 - cloven
hey, i dont know what show we're talk'in bout so, um...urmomsgotass!!!!!
25 - Stuart
CHICKA CHICKA BOOM BOOM
a told be and be told c, i'll meat you at the top of the cocanut tree
chicka chicka BOOM BOOM.
Hey have any of you people seen "jay and silent bob strike back" or "Wanes world"????? they are to great movies. omg Bo did such a good job lasdt night. WOW HE IS COOL. I hope he wins. talk to yall some other time. Write back if you want. laters