Just a few observations regarding the American Idol finale.
First, what a lot of people who dismiss Idol perhaps don't realize is that the show is actually quite entertaining. It is, perhaps, the best produced musically oriented show on network television. The finale boasted some top talent, both old and new with the likes of Smokey Robinson, Gladys Knight (sans Pips,) Tony Bennett, Bette Midler, Aerosmith's Joe Perry on his guitar and others, some performing with the contestants, excepting Bennett who performed solo. Keep in mind that this was a live telecast (the seven-second delay notwithstanding.) It has long been my opinion that few people in the business know how to do live telecasts of entertainment fare. They usually seem slow, unsure, and clumsy in their execution. Just think of any awards show you may have seen in the past 20 years or so. Not so with American Idol, except perhaps when they gave out some "special" awards which provided some laughs, but was for the most part awkward at best.
While watching one of the production numbers, it occurred to me that everyone seemed on the edge of delirium, all sporting effusive, broad grins, perhaps owing to the fact that virtually everyone on camera either had and/or will be making a great deal of money. I suppose that is cause for a smile or two.
But I will hand it to the producers. Idol was, in its infancy, virtually the antithesis of Wednesday evening's program. The first year or two it was painfully obvious that the show was being produced on a shoestring budget. The show's great success since has opened the network's checkbooks and production values have soared.
A few notes about some of the special performances by the guest artists noted above:
Smokey Robinson and Gladys Knight were grand. They don't seem to have lost a beat, even if Ms. Knight has added a pound or two. Their voices were familiar and strong.
Tony Bennett was in unusually good voice. Ya gotta hand it to the guy. He's eighty years old! Nevertheless, in recent years, I have found some of his performances to be lacking in the vocal department as one might expect. Last nite, however, he nailed his performance, and he certainly does not look anything like 80 years old.
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Article comments
1 - nikitta
Firstly, Sanjaya has a strong vocal and owned the show with Joe Peryy, if you failed to notice. Unfortenatly, journalist like you just jump on the Sanjaya hate bandwagon but he is a star already and a good vocalist, whether you like it or not. Melinda and Jordin are avarage vocalists at best...please Jordin butchered Chrisina's Fighter and Melinda bombed Whitney's and Tina's song, that is why she is back-up..jeez..there are good yes but great, no.
2 - Baritone
Nikitta,
Obviously, I beg to differ. But it's all a matter of perception isn't it?
Thanks for referring to me as a journalist, though. That's never happened before.
I hope Sanjaya fulfills your every dream.
Baritone
3 - TV and Film Guy
Congratulations! This article has been selected for syndication to Advance.net, which is affiliated with newspapers around the United States.
4 - hickifino
I especially enjoyed AI's bringing back the former winners. It's a joy to see how they have matured as performers. Kelly C rocks, Rueben seduces, Carrie thrills and Taylor blows the roof off!
5 - Baritone
Yeah, I wasn't even sure Rueben was still alive.
6 - Grandpa Idol
You overlooked Phil and Chris in your assessment and I believe that both have potential in some corner of the music universe. I also believe that Blake will find his niche in music production not performing. He seems more technical.
I'm also not sure if you picked up on the comment Ryan made that Bette Midler is slated to backfill for Celine when she leaves her Vegas show. If that's true then Bette has some work to do.
Regarding Sanjaya, I'm just glad he did not last until the end.
7 - Wendy
I am a big Bette Midler fan, I have been sense I was almost a year old. There is a reason for her being so flat and so off tone that night. She was getting over a cold. If she still had, I am not sure, but I have heard her sing with a cold before, and she does sound awful. Perhaps her cold was a factor. She still sounds GREAT and she can still work a stage even at 61. She does have work to do before Vegas, and she knows that, as for her performance on Idol, I do believe the cold was a factor.
8 - Baritone
Grandpa,
You may be right about the others. It's really anybody's guess. Some will make it, some won't. It's the nature of the beast.
I have nothing against Sanjaya personally. I just don't care for his performances. I was, frankly surprised that he lasted as long as he did. Better performers were voted off prior to his exit. I just didn't figure on the power of the pre-teen vote.
Wendy,
Don't get me wrong. I have always liked Bette Midler. However, cold or not, even the recording of 'Wind Beneath My Wings' is flat. It's the way the song was written. It just has too many opportunities to slide up to notes. Unfortunately, all too often, Bette doesn't slide quite far enough. Nevertheless, Bette is a hoot.
I am not a big Celine fan. While it's doubtful that I will make it out to Vegas any time soon, I would certainly take an opportunity to see Bette Midler long before I'd shell out big bucks to see Celine Dion.