How do you spell credibility? "T-H-E-J-A-Y". Not only did I nail the ouster last week (smell you later, FrankenSligh), but I also pegged the correct bottom three. I am the unofficial American Idol Kreskin. The Mandalay Bay should hire to me to work their sportsbook and take crazy Idol bets like “will Haley start her performance on the steps” (5-2), “will Melinda put her hand to her mouth to express wonder that she’s receiving a compliment (even)” “How many times will Paula Abdul clap like a seal” (+5 and the points). Aside from correctly predicting that King Kong would tank, this is my proudest prophetic moment.
Now to tonight’s show, I thought it was a letdown. I got the feeling nobody was putting that much effort into it. The train kept rolling, shaky singers were shaky, great singers were great, Seacrest was dapper and the judges were as evasive with Sanjaya as ever. Nothing was a surprise. Tony Bennett was a classy choice for a mentor, but didn’t provide nearly as much insight into singing as Lulu or even Gwen Stefani did. This may have something to do with Bennett being roughly 136 years old. The Idols all acted as if he was the Grandfather you don’t want to get close to because he smells like menthol and death. The Idol kids (as well as most of the viewing audience) have no connection with classic American standards. They know the songs because it’s natural to know them, but it means nothing to them (Look at the disparity in how Gina and Tony looked at “Smile”.). Blake looked like was doing a bad karaoke set at Dimples; he sucked for the first time in the competition, and I don’t think it’s a coincidence.
I understand that the Idols need to be pushed to sing multiple genres and styles. But it does them (and us) no good if they ALL can’t pull it off. Of course Melinda would own this, she’s a throwback. But was there any doubt that Jordin, Haley, Gina and Sanjaya would trip up? That Chris R was going to do anything but Mraz his way through a sixty year-old tune? That LaKisha would find the one tune that let her belt out the final note and flap her arms faux-Diva style? It was all just too predictable. Go outside the box to test these kids. Have them all do electronica or house or speed metal. Have the guys sing girls songs and the girls sing guys songs. Make Gina sing Shakira and Blake sing Milli Vanilli. Force Melinda to sing Ashlee Simpson and LaKisha sing All-American Rejects. If this is really nothing more than a national karaoke contest, then get these kids drunk and pitch them the hell out of their comfort zone. They’re all coasting by on guile, when they should be fighting tooth and nail with guts and grit. Heck, the only one who’s really fighting this season is Sanjaya. This must change.
Article comments
1 - Ty
You might have the bottom 3 right, but LaKisha is gone. You should see the dialidol results, Lakisha's popularity voting-wise has plummeted.
Not even a gradual decrease, but a sudden freefall to the near bottom.
(I hope) she's gone!
2 - Said osman
My question for You is who would you keep if you have a choices between good legs and good hair? The American Idol took the singing competition to another level.
How come among the 9 finalist of the biggest singing contest in the world, from a country leading the singing matters of this world - three cannot be categorised as singers let alone top finalist in the biggest contest?
The organisers of this show must think of new format that keep in the best that can Big U.S offer, and send the LEGS and HAIRS to the relevant categories.
I believe Lakisha should be the last person to leave the competition because she has what it takes to win it. That said, Melinda is a different animal.
Osman
3 - The Jay
I would keep Haley and bounce Sanjaya off so fast it would ding his giant fauxhawk. LEGS are always better to keep around than HAIR.
4 - Erin
I think it's going to be and Should be a tie between Lakisha and Melinda.
Blake shows off too much, and he always tries to Be-Bop the Music.
Phil Stacy, is just plain...
Haley's voice is not as good as Katherine McFee.
Chris, he just looks too much like "whatshis name from NSync.
Gina is too punk for me.
Jordin Sparks isn't quite as good as Lakisha and Melinda
and last but not least...I'm sorry folks, but Senjaya has Got to Go!"
5 - lovin blake
I LOVE BLake!
6 - Judge Judi
My favorite show (A.I.) has lost ALL credibility with me. Those stupid voters who think it’s fun to “vote for the worst” are ruining this show. There is NO WAY in HELL Sanjaya deserves to have gotten this far in the competition. And you’re right … he was a kinda scared and humble in the beginning, but now he looks like he’s just thumbing his nose at the audience … the judges … all of America! … “welcome to the universe of Sanjaya?” Are you kidding me?? He KNOWS he can’t sing … he can’t dance … and I think HE is creepy to look at when he sings (although Phil is a little creepy to look at too!) But he has this newfound confidence because he’s sooooo sure he’s NOT going to get voted off, that he doesn’t care WHAT he sounds like … and he sounded like CRAP this week!! The worst ever …
My vote has been, from the beginning, for Jordin. She’s young, hip, and that girl can sing. I want Sanjaya to be voted off next, and then Haley. Haley is channeling the sleeziness of Katherine McPhee from last year. It’s a singing competition, NOT a modeling competition!!
My final comment " this show desperately NEEDS to change its voting structure. They should make it just like “Dancing with the Stars.” 50% of the voting comes from the judges, and 50% comes from America’s votes. That way, it wouldn’t be as MUCH of a popularity contest.
7 - random
i think that Phil Stacey should have been the one to go last night. he SUCKS. Gina wasn't the gresatest person to grace the American Idol stage (cough cough Blake Lewis is) but she definately didn't deserve to go last night. I think that the American Idol winner is either going to be Blake Lewis or Jordin Sparks
8 - Kaonashi
Judge Judi- I definitely agree with you in that they should change the voting structure. Either have a 50/50 thing like in Dancing with the Stars, have people vote for who they hate the most, or have a one vote per household sort of thing. Clearly, their current voting structure isn't working.
9 - Grandpa Idol
That Judge Judi is one smart lady!!!