Blogcritics On American Idol 4

The American Idol juggernaut rolls on, losing none of its appeal entering season 4 with 33.5 million viewers, the largest audience of any show this season and the third-highest ratings night of entertainment programming in the Fox network’s history.

We, and especially our AI experts Scott Pepper and ZMethos, will be on it all season:

American Idol – Episode 419a – Mikalah Gets Booted
Well, the Fox Network and the producers of American Idol are going home happy this week, even if one of the remaining finalists is not. Last night’s extra show, added after a graphical glitch during Tuesday’s performances, pushed the…
Posted to Video by Scott Pepper on March 24, 2005 10:43 PM

American Idol: If I Were King
After the bizarre phone number foul-up on American Idol Tuesday night — where the numbers given to vote for Mikalah Gordon, Anwar Robinson, and Jessica Sierra were incorrect — last night we were treated to an utterly redundant “encore”…
Posted to Video by Eric Olsen on March 24, 2005 04:33 PM

American Idol (Week 2) – Step Away From the Funky Hair
NOW we remember the idol rush that hooked us in the first place. Everyone—contestants, judges, the crowd (and, from my vantage at least, the television audience)—was stoked tonight. If last week’s signature was the panty-wad, this week’s was Red Bull. Not everyone…
Posted to Video by Sticker on March 23, 2005 11:09 AM

“American Idol” Hopefuls Get One More Shot
Particularly observant viewers may have noticed something askew with last night’s episode of “American Idol.” It turns out that the phone numbers displayed on-screen for three of the contestants–Mikalah Gordon, Anwar Robinson, and Jessica Sierra–were incorrect. Thus, viewers who dialed…
Posted to Video by Scott Pepper on March 23, 2005 08:06 AM

“American Idol” – Episode 419 – #1 Billboard Hits
After an incredibly disappointing start to the finals last week, the 11 remaining finalists came back with a vengeance tonight to deliver what could have been the best single night in any season of the show so far. Tonight’s theme…
Posted to Video by Scott Pepper on March 22, 2005 10:33 PM

Mario who? Or, Another Case of Reality TV-Induced- Grandiosity Syndrome
Mario who? Did you read the one about Mario Vasquez, one-time American Idol 4 Top Twelve-er, who recently ran into Ashlee and Jessica Simpson in a private room at a hip party place? Apparently, Mario approached the singing sisters and asked that…
Posted to Music by Sticker on March 22, 2005 04:23 PM

SEPARATED AT BIRTH?
Smeagol and American Idol 4 contestant Constantine Maroulis. Negative hat tip to Ed Adkins for putting the thought…
Posted to Music by copygodd on March 17, 2005 09:57 PM

American Idol: More On Mario
The rumors surrounding popular Idol finalist Mario Vasquez’s abrupt departure from the show have generally fixed on personal skeletons, including speculation that he might be gay. Vasquez was replaced on the show by Nikko Smith, son of Hall of Fame…
Posted to Video by Eric Olsen on March 17, 2005 11:37 AM

“American Idol” – Episode 418a – Lindsey Cardinale Departs
No real surprise on “American Idol” tonight that Lindsey Cardinale was the first of the Top 12 finalists to leave the show. While she does have a nice voice and is certainly easy on the eyes, her performances have been…
Posted to Video by Scott Pepper on March 16, 2005 09:59 PM

“American Idol” – Episode 418 – 1960s
Not a great start to the finals on “American Idol” this season. Tonight, the remaining twelve contestants could choose any song from the 1960s to perform. Here’s the lineup: 1. Jessica Sierra – “Shop Around” (1960) 2. Anwar Robinson -…
Posted in Blogcritics on March 15, 2005 09:41 PM

Lebanese Idol
It appears as if the future of Lebanon’s government is in the hands the people. And I’m not talking about democratic elections, I’m talking about American Idol-style popularity.
Posted in Blogcritics on March 14, 2005 11:21 PM

“American Idol” – Finals Preview
On Tuesday night, the Top 12 contestants in Season Four of “American Idol” will hit the stage. Because of the gender-balancing act being performed this time around, the men and the women have not yet had to compete against each…
Posted in Blogcritics on March 14, 2005 06:55 PM

Mario Vasquez Quits “American Idol”
In a real shocker for fans of “American Idol,” Top 12 finalist Mario Vasquez has bowed out of the show:Mario Vasquez, the Latino heartthrob who won fans with his smooth renditions of Stevie Wonder’s “Do I Do” and the Bee…
Posted in Blogcritics on March 13, 2005 08:46 PM

“American Idol” – The Top 12 Finalists Revealed
Crunch time on “AI4” tonight, as the last four semi-finalists were sent home and the Top 12 singers who will compete in the finals were finally announced. With more than 120 million votes cast so far, the fourth season of…
Posted in Blogcritics on March 9, 2005 09:57 PM

“American Idol” – Episode 417 – The Top 8 Female Vocalists
Tonight was the last chance for the remaining eight women to make it into the Top 12 on Season Four of “American Idol,” and nearly every one of them stepped it up a notch. The case could easily be made…
Posted in Blogcritics on March 8, 2005 09:40 PM

“American Idol” – Eight Men Standing
The evening started with Simon Cowell being a bit contentious regarding some ex-Idol contestants who had challenged the system by suggesting they were eliminated because they had not received as much air time and attention as some of their rivals….
Posted in Blogcritics on March 7, 2005 10:41 PM

“American Idol” – The Next Four Eliminations
There’s a lot to be said for brevity, as tonight’s “AI” proved. Rather than subject viewers to another tortuous hour of pandering, the producers wisely gave us a quick 30 minutes in which to bid adieu to this week’s four…
Posted in Blogcritics on March 2, 2005 10:06 PM

“American Idol” – Episode 415 – The Top 10 Female Vocalists
Unlike the uniformly solid performances from the men last night, the women were a decidedly mixed bag in this second round of finals. Some of the weaker contestants from last week cranked it up a notch or two, but an…
Posted in Blogcritics on March 1, 2005 10:54 PM

American Idol #414 – Ten Men
The guys punched up their game this week, making the final outcome much tougher to call. Overall, song choice was better, vocals were stronger, and the performances were all-around more powerful. The evening began with Mario Vazquez, who continued to…
Posted in Blogcritics on February 28, 2005 10:43 PM

Shark Does American Idol
Ah, Shark has been dying to weigh in on this American cultural phenomena. Exuse me if I’m late
Posted in Blogcritics on February 24, 2005 05:31 PM

“American Idol” – Episode 414 – The First Four Eliminations
Well, it appears we are back to stretching 10 minutes worth of content into a full hour of fluff. Tonight’s episode was exactly what we’ve seen in past seasons, from the redundant recaps of last night’s performances to the horribly…
Posted in Blogcritics on February 23, 2005 11:51 PM

American Idol and my DVR
Check your DVR now if you’ve got American Idol in your list
Posted in Blogcritics on February 21, 2005 07:58 PM

“American Idol” – Episode 411 – The Top 24
You saw it here first: your 2005 “American Idol” finalists.
Posted in Blogcritics on February 16, 2005 10:06 PM

“American Idol” – Episode 410 – Hollywood Auditions, Day Four
What a night for “American Idol.” With only 75 contestants remaining, there were sure to be some fan favorites pulled out of the mix, and there were certain to be plenty of tears all around. As in past seasons, the…
Posted in Blogcritics on February 15, 2005 10:37 PM

“American Idol” – Episode 409 – Hollywood Group Auditions
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…
Posted in Blogcritics Archives on February 9, 2005 10:31 PM

“American Idol” – Episode 408 – Hollywood Solo Auditions
Finally, we’re getting to the good stuff. After enduring three weeks of mixed nuts, American Idol 4 is down to just about 200 contenders. This season, there were so many finalists that the first round of solo auditions had to…
Posted in Blogcritics on February 8, 2005 10:55 PM

“American Idol” – Episode 407 – San Francisco Auditions
After three brutal weeks, we’ve finally reached the end of the longest round of American Idol auditions to date. The show wrapped up its opening round in San Francisco tonight with guest judge Brandi. Aside from the usual crop of…
Posted in Blogcritics on February 2, 2005 09:36 PM

“American Idol” – Episode 406 – Cleveland/Orlando Auditions
It was two-for-one night on “AI4” tonight, with both the Cleveland and Orlando auditions crammed into one hour. We all know the drill by now: plenty of bad singers, and a few good ones. But, like last week’s Las Vegas…
Posted in Blogcritics on February 1, 2005 11:29 PM

“American Idol” – Episode 405 – Las Vegas Auditions
The “AI4” machine hit Sin City tonight in what can only be described as a major letdown after the good, bad, and downright ugly auditions in New Orleans. Yes, there were Elvis impersonators and, yes, there were showgirls. Neither group…
Posted in Blogcritics on January 26, 2005 11:01 PM

“American Idol” – Episode 404 – New Orleans Auditions
Was it even worth it for “AI4” to visit the Big Easy? You’d think that New Orleans would have more than its fair share of musical talent, and probably also more than its share of freaks. Unfortunately, you’d only be…
Posted in Blogcritics on January 25, 2005 11:57 PM

American Idol Premiere Review
Watching American Idol is like watching Chris Farley and Patrick Swayze audition for the Chippendales, only it’s the real deal. As in the SNL sketch, the judges on American Idol are very honest with their opinions. I know a few…
Posted in Blogcritics on January 24, 2005 03:37 PM

“American Idol” – Episode 403 – St. Louis Auditions
It’s amazing how many people “know” they can sing, and even more amazing how they all seem to end up in tears when their dreams of fame and fortune are dashed. While some truly awful performers littered last night’s premiere,…
Posted in Blogcritics on January 19, 2005 09:33 PM

Booming Start For American Idol
The franchise is back with a bang, with season 4 debuting last night to 33.5 million viewers, the largest audience of the season thus far, larger than the viewership of the other five networks COMBINED, and the third-highest ratings night…
Posted in Blogcritics on January 19, 2005 07:44 PM

“American Idol” – Episode 401/402 – Washington DC Auditions
Wasn’t it just the other day that we crowned Fantasia Barrino the new American Idol? Can it really be time again already for that guiltiest of guilty pleasures? Well, judging from the all-too-familiar theme music and the resurgence of host…
Posted in Blogcritics on January 19, 2005 12:03 AM

American Idol: Raw dreams
I’m halfway through watching American Idol and I’ve shed tears – good tears. I watched about half of the first season of American Idol. I thought Ryan Starr was hot…
Posted in Blogcritics on January 18, 2005 11:39 PM

American Idol 4: Older and Manlier
No, American Idol, which returns for its fourth season January 18, isn’t replacing metrosexual host Ryan Seacrest with Sean Connery, but the top-rated show on television last year has made some changes including dedicating half of the 24 semifinalist spots…
Posted in Blogcritics on January 14, 2005 01:56 PM

Kelly Clarkson: Breakaway
Dear Reader, It is my job duty privilege to inform and educate you in this letter about about certain misconceptions. It seems to be the opinion of most music listeners that you can’t listen to pop music because there is…
Posted in Blogcritics Archives on January 6, 2005 12:39 AM