Last night Elliott Yamin showed how very much the judges and media have underestimated him. This little guy has overcome a multitude of adversities in his life, he is 90% deaf in one ear, he packs an insulin pump to combat his extreme diabetes, and has not had the benefit of performing in a band or had extensive vocal training. He is an authentic rags to riches story on Idol.
He played the Idol game very well last night. Coming into the evening he was viewed as the next to go. Interviews during the past week with Nigel Lithgoe and judge Randy left Yamin completely out of the finals equation. He had to do something amazing to survive the night and he delivered. Considering how he had been prematurely discounted, and rated so far below the rest, Yamin did not let it affect him, instead he stood up to the challenge, took off the gloves and K.O.'ed Chris and Katharine.
He scored huge with both songs he performed. "If I Could Dream" was brilliant, well sung, each note spot-on. "Trouble" gave Elliott some overdue production perks, great camera angles and lighting. His rendition was the best I've ever heard, and most importantly in this part of the competition, his best performance of the season. I bow to you Mr. Yamin.
Regarding Daughtry's performances, "Suspicious Minds" was okay at best, I just didn't think he was feeling the song or the moment. Cowell's appraisal, "it worked" was a sad attempt to breathe life into the moment. "A Little Less Conversation" just did not work for me at all. Only redeeming portion of the performance was its ending.
Katharine McPhee should be sent packing home to be with her McMother and McFather tonight. I felt almost badly for her, well almost, with neither performance coming across well. I remember how Melissa McGhee was sent packing after she forgot the lyrics and what a big deal the judges made of it. It seemed the Paula Randy Simon Team attempted to sweep Katharine's' faux paux under the Idol carpets. A wardrobe malfunction would have helped her last night.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Mike
I'm sorry, I just don't get the taylor thing.
I know he gets a lot of votes because the average viewer age is somewhere in the mid 30's to mid 40's, but seriously.
if you can look at them all objectively, and look past the gimmicks, (which if it weren't for gimmicks, Taylor wouldn't even be around) do you really think he is the best vocalist? His voice is always pushed, he doesn't produce a rich sound, it's nasal and strained.
Elliott is the best by far.
America can't even be trusted to choose a president, can they really choose a musicial? Most of us American have no integrity, much less artistic integrity.
2 - Sister Ray
Mike, one could argue that someone who spends a lot of time pondering American Idol contestants should get his nose out of the air about his countrymen.
3 - Sasha
I keep wondering when America are going to wake up, Elliott is in a class of his own in this competition, hopefully he will stay. He should stay. He should win.
4 - Cee
I think that Taylor Hicks is very talented. I wish that they all could be winners, but he is
my choice.
I don't why Chris is still in the runnings, I believe thatit is just his charm. Who wants a rock and roller for a american idol.
Katherine, is very pretty and talented. Very lady
like. Elliott can sing, diffently don't have the idol look. A true dentist is waiting to see him.
5 - Ty
I am not passionately rooting for anyone to leave, like I usually am with Paris (I am still thrilled she is O-U-T).
But this theme put Katherine at a disadvantage and she did not rise to the occasion. I do think the producers picked this theme to get her off.
I am not rooting for anyone to leave, but I expect Katherine is done.
I am happy to report it looks like we are heading to the final I wanted and predicted ALL ALONG (go back to when the finals started, I said this), Taylor vs. Chris
6 - Tanders
American Idol is not only about the singing - it's about the whole package: talent, entertainment, attitude, personality (ala TAYLOR). Anyone can scream out a (throaty)song while stomping their foot and carrying a mic stand, or have so much vibrato that you cannot concentrate on (or totally lose) the song itself, or forget the words to a song in front of millions of viewers. Taylor, by far, is the TOTAL package and I would be thoroughly entertained at a 3-hour (or more) concert given by Taylor -- Can't say that about any of the other remaining contestants. Unfortunately for Taylor (and his fans), however, Simon has it out for him and will probably make certain he won't be the last AI standing!
Did you know Taylor has sold more CDs/product on the Internet than Chris, Elliott and Kat combined? Speaks volumes!
7 - Terry
Good Article for as brief as it is.
It is true that skill and ability and training and education are wonderful to see in people. And all of these final four have something to show off. But "TALENT" is not created by these things. These factors merely augment and enhance "talent".
"Talent" happens when personality, intuition, social sensitivity, stage peresence, and personal drive combine with one or more of the above mentioned factors.
It appears to be what Taylor has going for him and what Elliot is fast developing. Chris can certianly do more and needs to if he is to win. And Katherine...Well, she needs to lose the sex appeal ploy and work the stage personality end of the spectrum. If she would get just a pinch of it to go along with her considerable vocal skills and abilities, she would be unstoppable.
The world is chocked full of "babes", but the truly "talented" are a rare commodity.
Taylor still has the best package so far.
8 - Aida
The American Idol should have it all such as charm, personality, attitude, looks, and most of all talent, and Katherine has it all! She should be the next American Idol.
9 - Laura
Did anyone had a problem voting last night cause I was not able to get through to vote for Kat.
10 - Jewels
Mike, I just don't get 'nasal and strained' from Hicks' voice. He has demonstrated many times his abilities, and you should hear him on his CD, "Under the Radar". The man appeals to me on many different levels as a musician, artist, singer. Nasal qualities to a voice normally is atttributed to folks of northern areas of the country. Tay's a southern man.
Glad your're on the Taylor team, Terry, I think the man should be able to attain his goals, he's certainly been taking to school some of the other contestants. You know why Elliott's doing so much better in this of the competition? Tay and he have struck up a friendship and Tay's been giving him pointers. Tay knows Elliott's talented. The boy has grit too. Undeniably.
Regarding getting in votes, we do this little game, every time one of us gets through we do a shot of Jack Daniels or tequila (which ever is preferred). Thankfully last night we each only were able to get in about 4 votes each... it was a busy night, will be interesting to see how many votes they (Idol) tallied.
11 - sandra
Taylor is nothing but a lounge lizard. His best chance at a future in music is working the cruise ship or holiday inn circuit. And his moves look like a cerebral palsey patient in rehab!
Chris was robbed- He was by far the most consistent performer. I refuse to watch or listen to anymore of the losers left.
the only one coming close to Chris is Kathryn, but America seems to want the ugliest, least talented idol.
American Idol SUCKS and so does Taylor Hicks
12 - Jewels
My 'source' once again is correct. A.I. Big Rocker Shocker. I thought Simon was going to puke. Shock and Awe. I think that's a good description.
Who will exit next? ....Here kitty, kitty, kitty....unless she straightens out.
Hell, "somebody had to go home", as said by Bucky Covington as he left.
Stay tuned.
13 - NR Davis
The wound is still raw, apparently. When Tamyra Gray got the axe in Season 1, I swore off the show too. And yes, AI does suck; on that we agree.
14 - John
The results have probably already been posted, and I'm afraid to look at my VCR to find out what happened. Elliott performed splendidly last night, and if he goes tonight...Idol won't be seeing any more of me this season. It won't be the producer's fault...but I would love to see a system in which a voter can cast votes on one set of phone lines to keep their favorite 'in', and another set of lines to REALLY vote someone "off."
If such a system existed, and I didn't really have a favorite, I could easily dedicate two hours of my time to pressing the 'redial' with a chance to kick someone off the airwaves.
There could be some formula to determine the net number of votes each performer gets.
15 - Dianne
I think that this is rigged again. Chris should have never been voted off tonight, may 10. He is the best one on there besides Kat. You had the final four seperated in the right places. but the bottom two should have been Elliot and that older guy kelly. Get with it america don't you no who is good and who is bad on American idol?? This is going to be like that one time with Ruffis. If kat doesn't win this contest, America is crazy and the progam is fixed. And as far as Chis I feel he needs to have another chance. He was wonderful Last night. Be proud Chis you are a winner in my eyes. Please go far and see what records you can make I will be looking for your hits out there. Make your family proud and still go after your dreams. Never give up!!! I will never watch American Idol again if Kat doesn't win.
16 - cheri
I will never watch American Idol again. Chris Doherty was the best talent on the show. I'm appalled at the stupidity of the american public!
You lost me as a viewer. None of the other three people are American Idol quality. My husband agrees. You've lost us this year - not sure about next year.
17 - Dianne
excuse my mistake it was Taylor that is the older guy and I just think he needs to go home. Even if he has made CDs/products. He needs to go back to the lounges where the drinking there can't tell where the music or the profomer is good or bad. Taylor go back to the lounges where you belong and let a real man stand up there like Chris.
18 - Penny
I can't believe Kathryn wasn't voted off--
Come on--AMERICA WAKE UP!!!! She was definately the
weakest singer. Shame on all of you that voted for her-- you are voting for all the wrong reasons.
19 - Albert
Kat was off key, quite a bit, she ran out of breath,
had no heart in the 2nd song but because she is cute she gets the vote. She doesn't deserve it but that is how it goes. We do vote for the wrong reasons but still we vote. Chris is a better singer but I rather look at Kat.
20 - angel
chris should have one the whole thing i think america got it wrong kat should have went home every week chris got good reviews this is bullshit thats okay chris you will go on and iam sure we will see you again rock on chris your an american idol in my eyes
21 - lin
Katharine is a robot with pitch problems. There is absolutely no substance to her singing and her voice is thin and shrill. Her attempts at being soulful are forced at best. Let's face it...she's there because she is gorgeous and perky...just like Kelly. I'm amazed that the one deaf contestant has the best pitch out of all of them. Chris has star quality and the fact that he went home instead of Katharine just goes to show that this is merely a popularity contest. Her pitch is awful..I've yet to hear her get through one song without losing it. Taylor is there because his has an original sound and when he's on it and not bouncing around like a maniac he's pretty intense. Elliot's vibrato makes me nuts but he's still technically a better singer than all of them. Hopefully Katharine will be where she should be next week and that's home getting a gig in a muscial or wedding band. She's nothing more than a young version of Kathie Lee Gifford...who knows maybe she'll get a gig as a morning talk show host....People need to listen with their ears...not just their eyes.
22 - Kim
MAJOR shock!!! I can't believe Chris was voted off. I truly thought, based on last night's performance, it was going to be Kat. I would have liked, however, for it to be Elliot. I don't understand where his fan base is coming from. He can sing, but he's by no means the best. And when you think about the "whole package" concept, the guy's a "0". Even Simon said on one of the shows he doesn't really have much personality. The other three had the looks, attitude, and personalities. Elliot, hate to say it, but you're kinda "blah"!
23 - NR Davis
The Kat should have gone. There's the power of the fanbase for you. But don't worry about Chris - he's set.
24 - Jewels
Ms. Davis, you are an intelligent woman. That's why I like you so much. You have it figured out with AI on 'What's Up'. (Took me 2 seasons) The trick this year I'm discovering, is in the knowing and the working of the wheels in motion. Plus I have somehow been gifted with a 'special' yet, anonymous friend.
Let me just say, this show is going to change - 'a change is gonna come'... the schlock factor is slated to go out and a new focus on real music will begin. Did you NOT SO LOVE Simon Cowell's face when Chris was eliminated. It is as it should be. TCO out!
25 - jefpen
well just too let you know iam done watching the rest of your shows i was appolled with who had been kicked off i think this is all about popularity and beauty myself. my whole family agrees that kat should have gone before chris, i dont think the poll deal was right lastnight i tryed for over 1 hr too get in too vote for chris and everytime i called it was busy, whats up with that?