Melinda the best vocalist? Bye Bye Jordin? What show are you watching and what medication are you on? [Melinda bash and Blake apologia elided.]
I know I am watching the same show, so perhaps I am on the same meds. It seems to me that the three semifinalists are remarkably closely matched and that Jordin is as likely to lose out as either of the other two.

Melinda has a beautiful voice and is a consummate singing actress. A few here don’t get it where Melinda is concerned but there are a few everywhere who don’t get it, whatever “it” may be.

Blake has a unique style, moves well, and is very, very brave. But he is not in the same world as the girls, either musically or vocally. He would be my choice for elimination this week but it’s a close call. By the way is the tat on the back of Blake’s right hand new or have I just now noticed it? He already looked like the Illustrated Man.

Melinda has always been good. She has had the fewest weak performances and when I say weak, I mean not 110% like normal, but still above 90%.

Agree although `Woman' last night was nowhere near as dead on solid as her top 24 performance of the same song. :cool:

Dial Idol has Blake most likely going home, he is barely below Jordin and Melinda is first. But they said it was to close to call.

O.K., everyone has their opinions on which one singer is better than the other. Here is my $.02

First, why don't they have information on the American Idol web site about last nights show yet? It is still on the top 4 show....
The headlining story is:


Who Will Compete In The Finale?

It was obvious that Blake, Melinda, and Jordin knew what was at stake last night, as each one pulled out all the stops. But who will get the two coveted spots in the finale? Find out tonight at 9/8c! As a bonus, Elliott Yamin and Maroon 5 will both perform live!

Elliot "deliverance" Yamin is no bonus.

Dial Idol has Blake most likely going home, he is barely below Jordin and Melinda is first. But they said it was to close to call.
DialIdol results that close are indistinguishable.

There's a reason they're all "1-3."

For DialIdol, results that close are equivalent and they have been all season. They have no clue who is going home.

Yeah, disregard the fact that it's the biggest ratings juggernaut in history, and take a year off for the sake of artistic integrity.Yes unfortunately they will keep showing it every year until the talent is even worse than it is now and it loses viewers. But given the no taste ear of american teeny boppers this travesty may go on and on and on.

Yes unfortunately they will keep showing it every year until the talent is even worse than it is now and it loses viewers. But given the no taste ear of american teeny boppers this travesty may go on and on and on.
Yes, indeed, and the show’s producers and the network are going to feel horrible about the whole thing -- and cry all the way to the bank. :)

After watching last night's show, I think it's more fun to review the reviewers. So here goes....So Simon sounds smarter - but most of what he says is obvious, and he has a very limited range of music that he likes. His big sin is that anything with a jazzy feel to it dosn't work for him - and if you don't appreciate jazz or jazz-influenced music, your hearing chops ain't making it.You forgot to mention Country. At least Simon admits that he "doesn't get this music."I also found it funny that Simon ripped Jordin for singing a 60 year old song after having her sing a 30 year old song. The irony is that the 60 year old song sounded 'fresher' than the 30 year old song did.Yeah. And it's even funnier when you remember how he picked a 67-year-old song for Kat last year. NOLE would make a great sports talk personality!Does sound a little Jim Romish. I wonder if he snarls while he's writing.

I know I am watching the same show, so perhaps I am on the same meds. It seems to me that the three semifinalists are remarkably closely matched and that Jordin is as likely to lose out as either of the other two.

Melinda has a beautiful voice and is a consummate singing actress. A few here don’t get it where Melinda is concerned but there are a few everywhere who don’t get it, whatever “it” may be.

Blake has a unique style, moves well, and is very, very brave. But he is not in the same world as the girls, either musically or vocally. He would be my choice for elimination this week but it’s a close call. ^^^^^X2


Quote:
I also found it funny that Simon ripped Jordin for singing a 60 year old song after having her sing a 30 year old song. The irony is that the 60 year old song sounded 'fresher' than the 30 year old song did.

Yeah. And it's even funnier when you remember how he picked a 67-year-old song for Kat last year. The first week she sang the 60-year-old song, didn't he praise her for making a 60-year-old song sound comtemporary, and comment she could have a hit today with it? Simon's usually spot-on, but this was a glaring mistake for me.

I just looked over the numbers at "DialIdol.com" which causes me to conclude:

If you think you are hip and cool - you vote Blake.

If stage productions and musicals are your paradigm for quality - you vote Melinda.

If you have a soft heart and place a priority on sweet and cute - you vote Jordin.

If you vote based on singing ability, your vote doesn't count.

Way to just totally make everything up, Joe.

You're totally wrong.

Well, tell me all about it.

I think I need a new Receiver or EQ system.

While Melinda was singing, I kept looking for the Vibrato knob to turn that down, but couldn't find it...
Better get it/find it before Elligoat Yamin is on tonight then! ;)

NOLE would make a great sports talk personality! :)
Isn't one Imus enough for the world? :confused:

I always like your comments and laugh, but need to call out one more thing. Yes, she called Randy, Randy Johnson, but that was a joke. The Mayor accidentally said Randy Johnson, so she smiled and said "Thanks Randy JOHNSON"

I missed that part...I was getting a beer, I stand corrected.

Well, tell me all about it.
Well, let's start with me :)

I'm a huge fan of Broadway. I've seen dozens of Broadway shows and traveling shows. I love musicals, too. No, I'm not gay.

I still vote Blake, though. Because Blake is the most entertaining contestant. Melinda is more "Tina Turner Lite" than anything. She has a very good, accomplished voice, but she has never once wowed me with a performance. Maybe her style of music just isn't my thing, but I have to question that because I love Tina Turner. I dunno what it is exactly that she's missing, but, while she is an excellent singer, she just doesn't really appeal to me. Her voice is very very good, but it's just not good enough to make up for the songs, I guess. Whitney Houston's, Celine Dion's, and Sarah Brightman's voices are good enough to make up for their songs though ;)

I'd actually rather see Blake than Melinda on stage at the Hirschfeld. I think he'd be far more entertaining and he has the chops and personality to pull it off.

Who's getting the boot tonight? If you go by last season's semifinal, then it's clear.

Last year, the one who was dropped -- Elliot -- was clearly the better singer of the three, but also the least "presentable" of the three.

With that in mind: Do we have someone this year who's clearly the best singer, but also the "least presentable" -- i.e., good-looking?

Indeed, we do. So it looks like Melinda is heading home tonight.

It's a tough call for me. I thought all 3 of them did a fine job last night. Any one of them could be gone, and I wouldn't be surprised. But I would be disappointed if it's Jordin. I like her singing a lot. And she's so young that she has a great potential to grow (no pun intended). Blake has just a so-so voice, but has style (even though it's not the style that I like). I can see him selling plenty of CD's to the pink-cell crowd. Melinda? She has a very good voice. And it seems that she does a great job on stage. But for some reason I find my mind wondering during her songs. She just doesn't captivate my interest. It may be that her style is also not what I am looking for.
All three should do well selling CD's next year. They all have enough followers to make some cash. Where they go from there depends on how hard they work and if they keep the right attitude.
One more thing. How frickin' drunk was Paula last night? My wife and I were rolling on the floor with laughter.

Melinda is like a Baseball umpire who makes good calls all game long, efficient, but not really spectacular, and lets face it, if she wins she'll be about as marketable as Rueban Stoddard.

Melinda could be in trouble. Simon knows the vote-count and he was campaigning for both her and Blake all night... especially Melinda. In fact, he tried to go negative on Jordin a few times, but it just sounded odd for him.

My bet is that Jordin is running high in the vote-count, and he knows it. Both Blake and Melinda are vulnerable. My hope is that Blake gets the axe, but who knows?

Pick your runner up, everyone... you want someone with no lips or no neck?

Exactly. No way is the vote count split even. One of them has a large majority of the vote. Simon definitely knows the vote count and where it keeps heading. I also found it very telling that the only thing he could find to say about Jordin was that the songs themselves were "old fashioned". He wasn't very convincing with his comments. They seemed very forced. He was trying way too hard to find something on Jordin to even the playing field a bit but could not find anything about her performance. I agree that Jordin must be running very high in the vote count. All I know is: it took me over 20 attempts using all three numbers for Jordin before I finally got through on the lines to submit my vote.

Rueban Stoddard.
Creative spelling there. You managed to totally mess up both the first and last names ;)

Creative spelling there. You managed to totally mess up both the first and last names ;)
It's not like it matters anyway. I don't think he'll be selling out stadiums any time soon.

I dunno about that.

Didn't they name a sandwich after him?

One more thing. How frickin' drunk was Paula last night? My wife and I were rolling on the floor with laughter.She's becoming the modern day Foster Brooks without the comedy - not intentional at least.

She's becoming the modern day Foster Brooks without the comedy - not intentional at least.

I liked the part where Simon asked Ryan if he was drunk. Ryan looked shocked. "You're asking ME if I'M drunk?! :eek:

Okay, so I'm old, and what passes for music nowadays doesn't interest me much. When Fantasia sang "Summertime" on Idol a few seasons ago, she brought me to tears. When her CD came out, it was all screechy with too many vocal gymnastics. I really pulled for Taylor Hicks last season because I love blues and I thought he would be great at Ray Charles/ Joe Cocker-type soul. When his CD came out, we bought it, but were ultimately disappointed (although he sounded better on the Tonight Show a couple of nights ago).
To me, Melinda has the best voice control of any season, and I listen to that throughout her songs. Just amazing. Marketable? I don't know because I apparently represent a demographic music companies don't care about - or younger buyers relate to. But I know I'll buy her CD.

Where was Clive Davis last night? Is he out of it altogether? Maybe he's been my main disappointment.

It's not like it matters anyway. I don't think he'll be selling out stadiums any time soon.

Exactly...shows you how insignificant he and Melynda Dolittle are going to be.... :D

More creative spelling

Melinda has shown that she's a very good backup singer. Any of the three who sang with her last night are probably similarly accomplished. Is she a future pop idol? I think not.

Melinda has shown that she's a very good backup singer. Any of the three who sang with her last night are probably similarly accomplished. Is she a future pop idol? I think not.

But with the popularity that AI has brought her, she will sell a few CD's. There are other Pop "stars" out there with less going for them.

Way to just totally make everything up, Joe.

You're totally wrong.

I understand your reply. My comments were really directed toward trends rather than any individual opinion. The numbers are very close, obviously. But I look at the map and I see personalities for the states. Sure, everyone is different in that tautological sense that isn't very helpful in understanding what we do happen to have in common. The way people dress, talk to one another, and evaluate things and people runs through local cultures like a virus. Everyone immitating the people they view positively.

The fact is they can all sing really well (the three). It's like a jury trial, often the facts aren't nearly as important as who you identify with, because that determines who you are pulling for, and what is a good call or a bad call by the ref for example.. So the influence of your hidden self image can often make the difference. Not in everyone, but in enough to make the decision in a close race.

Melinda is like a Baseball umpire who makes good calls all game long, efficient, but not really spectacular, and lets face it, if she wins she'll be about as marketable as Rueban Stoddard.


I beg to disagree with your statement. The R&B market is different from the pop/rock that you may be familiar with. With soul musis, it's all about the voice and the emotions, not the look. Substance comes first and superficial looks comes after. Consistency is what really matters.

That's why, a lot of soul singers don't need to be sexy and cute to sell records. Luther, for example has sold tens of millions of records and most of his life he looked like Ruben. They are too many examples of this.Aretha Franklin, Gerald Levert, Barry White etc.) Pop and rock "artists" often have to be cute and sexy or have some gimmick because that's what their audience demands.

If Ruben is unsuccessful, then its not because he is unmarketable but because his songs are not that good. (I do believe he is successful though). Just because Ruben and Melinda are not your cup of tea doesn't mean they are not marketable.

If Melinda has a good voice (and she does) she will be very marketable in the R&B world because that mostly all that it takes. All she needs is a good producer and good songs. I will buy her album if and when it comes out, solely on what I've heard so far. I'm not bothered by her appearance because I'm not sleeping with her, just buying a cd. :)

While I agree that Blake is not the singer that Jordin and Melinda are, he has one thing over both of them...he is a natural born performer and knows his stuff. When he takes the stage I find myself wanting to get up and dance. He is fun, hip, young and very attractive. I said it before, this guy is going to be big! He is what all the kids love today.

I disagree with the other posters that Jordin was less than stellar. Her last song "I Who Have Nothing" was INCREDIBLE. One of the best performances on AI every.

My friend and I too caught Melinda messing up her words on "I'm a Woman". She messed up the second line like Noleinburg stated. I had to rewind the DVR to see it, but messed up she did. Bye bye Melinda.

Okay, so I'm old, and what passes for music nowadays doesn't interest me much. When Fantasia sang "Summertime" on Idol a few seasons ago, she brought me to tears. When her CD came out, it was all screechy with too many vocal gymnastics. I really pulled for Taylor Hicks last season because I love blues and I thought he would be great at Ray Charles/ Joe Cocker-type soul. When his CD came out, we bought it, but were ultimately disappointed (although he sounded better on the Tonight Show a couple of nights ago).
To me, Melinda has the best voice control of any season, and I listen to that throughout her songs. Just amazing. Marketable? I don't know because I apparently represent a demographic music companies don't care about - or younger buyers relate to. But I know I'll buy her CD.

Where was Clive Davis last night? Is he out of it altogether? Maybe he's been my main disappointment.

Fantasia brought me to tears EVERYTIME she sang. When she opens her mouth, it's like fingernails on a blackboard.

LMAO@Ray.

I can't stand Fantastias on stage antics either. Her body language grates on me.

Melinda has shown that she's a very good backup singer. Any of the three who sang with her last night are probably similarly accomplished. Is she a future pop idol? I think not.

Anyone read the recent EW? They suggest that Melinda basically lacks the "it" factor, i.e., no charisma, stage presence, and many other things needed to be a pop idol.

Last week she was in danger of going home according to Dial Idol, I can only hope she is gone now.

Jordin vs. Blake makes for the most interesting finale.

If Ruben is unsuccessful, then its not because he is unmarketable but because his songs are not that good. (I do believe he is successful though). Just because Ruben and Melinda are not your cup of tea doesn't mean they are not marketable.


I agree, Ruben is crap because his songs are crap.

You really think Ruben is a success?? HA!

Yeah his first post-Idol album sold 1.7 million copies in the US, but then everyone quickly forgot about him.

His second album sold 437k copies in the US, and his last album released in October has a disappointing 220k copies sold in the US.

I remember a few years back hearing his god-awful song where the guy keep saying "Damn. So sorry." I thought to myself, "Damn. This song really sucks. Who is it by?"

Sure enough the DJ said it was Ruben's latest single, "Sorry 2004." I wasn't surprised one bit.

You are right, in the R&B/soul world looks don't matter, talent does. Ruben doesn't have it.

Melinda is a better singer might sell more albums in her career than Ruben, but Melinda won't cross over into pop/mainstream because she is lacking charisma, stage presence, and that "it" factor.

Jordin vs. Blake makes for the most interesting finale.
Definitely.

LMAO@Ray.

I can't stand Fantastias on stage antics either. Her body language grates on me.

Everything about her grates on me. Her voice, her smile, her moves, her attitude, etc all bother me.

Why do people say Melinda doesn't have the "it" factor?? Is it because of her ethnicity, and she doesn't appeal to the mainstream buying audience?

Everything about her grates on me. Her voice, her smile, her moves, her attitude, etc all bother me.[I]

WOW.. what's wrong with her smile and moves? I think this is more of a cultural thing than anything else.

Why do people say Melinda doesn't have the "it" factor?? Is it because of her ethnicity, and she doesn't appeal to the mainstream buying audience?

No, this is not a race issue. It is racist to automatically assume that all of us (including Entertainment Weekly) who say she lacks the "it" factor are doing so because she is black.

She sings, and well I might add, but brings nothing else to the table. This is fine for CD's, but I don't think people will say she is a great concert to go to.

There is a reason she was a backup singer for a long time.

Why do people say Melinda doesn't have the "it" factor?? Is it because of her ethnicity, and she doesn't appeal to the mainstream buying audience?
No, it has nothing to do with her ethnicity.

It's because she's a boring performer with forgettable performances, despite her very strong technical singing ability.

Jordin is much more enjoyable to watch. Sabrina was definitely a more enjoyable performer. It's not about race.

Look at the dip in the ratings. None of the finalists have had the "it" factor.

Look at the dip in the ratings. None of the finalists have had the "it" factor.

Especially Melinda. The judges have been too afraid to give Melinda honest criticism for fear that any negativity would lead to enough of a lack of votes that she will go home. The judges know she is the frontrunner but not exactly overwhelmingly popular. They are doing whatever they can to save her.

I attribute the dip in ratings not only to a poor season, but Sanjaya going home. Had Sanjaya made it this far, the ratings would be astronomically high.

I just looked over the numbers at "DialIdol.com" which causes me to conclude:

If you think you are hip and cool - you vote Blake.

If stage productions and musicals are your paradigm for quality - you vote Melinda.

If you have a soft heart and place a priority on sweet and cute - you vote Jordin.

If you vote based on singing ability, your vote doesn't count.
Amen, brother! :)

Why do people say Melinda doesn't have the "it" factor?? Is it because of her ethnicity, and she doesn't appeal to the mainstream buying audience?

Everything about her grates on me. Her voice, her smile, her moves, her attitude, etc all bother me.[I]

WOW.. what's wrong with her smile and moves? I think this is more of a cultural thing than anything else.

1) Don't know why. It may be that I don't like the same music you do. But there are a lot of other singers that I don't like their style of music but still appreciate their talents and "it" factor. I have nothing against Melinda. I just don't get excited by her sound. It doesn't move me. It may move others.

2) Maybe, but she does grate on me. You may feel the same about the bands I like. I would understand and not expect you to like the same things I do.

1) Don't know why. It may be that I don't like the same music you do. But there are a lot of other singers that I don't like their style of music but still appreciate their talents and "it" factor. I have nothing against Melinda. I just don't get excited by her sound. It doesn't move me. It may move others.

2) Maybe, but she does grate on me. You may feel the same about the bands I like. I would understand and not expect you to like the same things I do.

1. Well we probably don't enjoy the same music I'm more of an old school hip hop fan(like some of the current hip hop), R&B, and some pop music(REALLY depends on the artist). Rock and country won't be downloaded to my iPod. Especially country :D

2. True... but I grew up around that culture, although since graduating from college last fall(first one in my family :D) my surroundings have definitely changed, but I understand it. Although I didn't act or dress like that or anything in that manner, so her attitude and etc doesn't bother me at all. So again.. its a cultural thing!

Why do people say Melinda doesn't have the "it" factor?? Is it because of her ethnicity, and she doesn't appeal to the mainstream buying audience?

Everything about her grates on me. Her voice, her smile, her moves, her attitude, etc all bother me.[I]

WOW.. what's wrong with her smile and moves? I think this is more of a cultural thing than anything else.

Gmichael was talking about Fantasia, not Melinda.

Look, Melinda is an amazing singer, but her stage presence and body language just does not do it for most people.

All her songs sound the same...and they are actually so good as to be boring.

There have always been people who are technically perfect, but lack sincere emotion and/or charisma. And a lot of the latter oftem makes up for shortcomings in the former.

1. Well we probably don't enjoy the same music I'm more of an old school hip hop fan(like some of the current hip hop), R&B, and some pop music(REALLY depends on the artist). Rock and country won't be downloaded to my iPod. Especially country :D

My guess is that Geddy Lee will never make it into your Ipod either. :eek:
Fair enough. No Hip hop will ever make it into mine.


2. True... but I grew up around that culture, although since graduating from college last fall(first one in my family :D) my surroundings have definitely changed, but I understand it. Although I didn't act or dress like that or anything in that manner, so her attitude and etc doesn't bother me at all. So again.. its a cultural thing!

Don't know. I grew up on an inner city street. But people with an "I'm hot" attitude grate on me anyhow. Probably why I'm not a big Blake fan either. I much prefer Melinda's sweet "who me" attitude. I just seem to nodd off while she's singing.

Gmichael was talking about Fantasia, not Melinda.



Ah ha! No wonder.... :rolleyes:

No, this is not a race issue. It is racist to automatically assume that all of us (including Entertainment Weekly) who say she lacks the "it" factor are doing so because she is black.

She sings, and well I might add, but brings nothing else to the table. This is fine for CD's, but I don't think people will say she is a great concert to go to.

There is a reason she was a backup singer for a long time.

Pappy97. Do you buy music based only on the artist ability to perform well on stage? I'm sure you have never seen most of the artists you buy perform on stage. If all Melinda can sell is cd's and not tickets then what's so wrong with that? What else is there to bring to the table than talent? The "it" factor that no one can define.

I agree with you that Blake and Jordin would make a more interesting finale, but only because some viewers like you are looking for the "IT" factor, not only singing. I might be in the minority in that I'm judging the singing only.

People keep saying "There is a reason she was a backup singer for a long time". Guess what, so were many of the top artists today. She is not unique in that respect. She just needed a break and she finally got it. Its no more deeper than that.


I hear Britney Spears and Ashley Simpson gives an awesome concert though. They are not only full of the "IT' factor but also something else ;)

Jordin is much more enjoyable to watch. Sabrina was definitely a more enjoyable performer.Well, guess what. Jordin isn't doing that much more that's worth watching -- unless you consider her "eye candy"(!?) However....Had Sanjaya made it this far, the ratings would be astronomically high.Yeah! Who's your Pappy!!! Now there's somebody I'd make Appointment TV to see.

So any of them could go home tonight, what more could AI hope for-except Sanjaya being one of them, of course. I think that Melinda, the best singer but not the best looker, goes home because her fanbase is not as fervent. I think that Jordin, the best looker but not the best singer, goes home because she splits some votes with Melinda while being not as accomplished. I think that Blake goes home because he is neither the best singer or the best looker.

Hopefully, Jordin stays though. I'd love to hear what she can do with Unchained Melody or Que Sera Sera or Mairzy Doats.

I've heard of maybe one or two people (online and in conversations) that don't absolutely HATE Fantasia. :eek:

How the hell did she ever win? :confused:

Forget the Ruben/Clay conspiracy theory...if AI was ever really rigged, the Fantasia debacle was certainly it. :mad:

well the ZABA results are in - being eliminated tonight (according to them) is:

http://www.zabasearch.com/ai_stats.php

They say Melinda is TOAST.

In this entire season, the only song my boys - ages 8 and 11 - have asked to listen to repeatedly was Blake's rendition of "You Give Love a Bad Name". I don't think they noticed the quality of his voice or his looks as much as that his rendition was fresh, original, adventurous and felt spontaneous - and his voice and looks didn't get in the way.

That might be enough.

Though it hasn't been mentioned in a while, leave us not forget that

--- JORDIN IS ONLY 17 YEARS OLD!!!!!

She's a remarkable singer with lots of personality, presence and charisma... which is astonishing given her age.

17!!

In this entire season, the only song my boys - ages 8 and 11 - have asked to listen to repeatedly was Blake's rendition of "You Give Love a Bad Name". I don't think they noticed the quality of his voice or his looks as much as that his rendition was fresh, original, adventurous and felt spontaneous - and his voice and looks didn't get in the way.

That might be enough.

Maybe that's the only song they recognized! Other songs are simply too old for them to enjoy, and likely would not earn their votes no matter who sang them or how well it was sung.

Song choice, as the judges always say, not performance, is apparently what your boys (and much of America) prize most.

I personally didn't have anything positive to say about Blake's rendition... just as I have nothing positive to say about ANY of his renditions. Quite the opposite, actually.

...leave us not forget that...JORDIN IS ONLY 17 YEARS OLD!!!!!...Yeah - we sure haven't heard that enough - LOL! :D :D

I think Melinda does a GREAT job transforming herself in the proper element and mood on stage. She portrays the song's mood well -- whatever it is. In fact, her personality off stage is very reserved and quiet while on stage it's aggresssive and spot on with the mood of the lyrics. And she's very consistent.

However, I don't like her personality when she's not performing. It's a HUGE turn off for me. She acts like she's a few eggs short of a dozen. Between songs personality is VERY important for interaction with the audience and getting them involved. I don't see ANY of that quality in Melinda. I also just don't like her style of music. I cannot see myself purchasing ANY Melinda songs or albums.

Jordin sometimes tries too hard to be in the mood of the song. Sometimes she gets the mood wrong, even. He performance personality is not that great. But she's very young and inexperienced, so I believe that will come later. Her vocals range from fair to excellent. She has not been as vocally consistent as Melinda.

Blake is the worst singer of the three. But what he lacks in vocal ability he more than makes up with stage presence and entertainment value. I have to admit that he is entertaining. I like his choices of songs FAR MORE than any Melinda and Jordin have done. Some of his performances are much better than others, but his style -- which I like a lot -- is not for everyone. He has a "limited" audience -- more so, I believe than either Melinda or Jordin.

What Blake has going for him is that his "limited" audience is quite rabid and loyal. I also believe Blake's core supporters are all intact while Melinda and Jordin may have lost a few along the way. They might also take voters from each other and split the total of the remaining. Although I'm leaning toward Blake leaving tonight :( , I wouldn't at all be surprised if either Jordin or Melinda leave. I'd probably be a little more surprised if Melinda leaves.

So, at this time, I think the bottom vote getter might be Blake, followed by Jordin. The top would be Melinda. That's how I see it, anyway, even though that's not exactly what I prefer.

Maybe that's the only song they recognized! Other songs are simply too old for them to enjoy, and likely would not earn their votes no matter who sang them or how well it was sung...Without getting into why I know, I can say for certain that they had never heard ANY rendition of the song before.

Hasn't your doctor ever suggested that you should look at things more positively? It can add years to your life and the years will look better. ;)

Maybe that's the only song they recognized! Other songs are simply too old for them to enjoy, and likely would not earn their votes no matter who sang them or how well it was sung.

Song choice, as the judges always say, not performance, is apparently what your boys (and much of America) prize most.

I personally didn't have anything positive to say about Blake's rendition... just as I have nothing positive to say about ANY of his renditions. Quite the opposite, actually.


UMMM how could 8 and 10 year old boys recognize You Give Love a Bad Name when it was recorded 21 years ago? :confused:

By the way, Blakes rendition was one of my favorite performances of the season. I have it DVR'ed and even my 16 year old daughter and all her friends love it. They have since downloaded all of Bon Jovi's hit and it is regularly being played in the house. I love it!

I recognize Immigrant Song despite the fact that it was recorded before I was born.

Wow. Melinda, possibly the best singer on AI ever didn't make it to the final round. Wild.

It's a done deal. Jordin won already.

:( :mad: :(


Not happy with the results.

But, I'm sure things will work out for the one voted out tonight.

well the ZABA results are in - being eliminated tonight (according to them) is:

http://www.zabasearch.com/ai_stats.php

They say Melinda is TOAST.


BINGO

This is not that big of a surprise, Melinda just really didn't have the appeal to the younger viewers (the ones who do most of the voting).

This show is officially a disaster if Blake wins......

Melinda could be in trouble. Simon knows the vote-count and he was campaigning for both her and Blake all night... especially Melinda. In fact, he tried to go negative on Jordin a few times, but it just sounded odd for him.


Turned out to be the way it went down. It was obvious that Simon was campaigning hard for Melinda, and criticizing Jordin to steal votes from her (she must have had enough to spare).

Should turn out to be one of the most lopsided finals ever. I can't imagine many Melinda votes going to Blake.

America voted, and would rather have no-lips than no-neck as the runner up.

Melinda was spot on as always, but her performances are so old and sound so alike they actually bore me.

I predict Melinda will be going home tomorrow night



Owned :)

I'm not surprised at all for obvious reasons... She didn't appeal to the young white folk. Plus there was no way they were going to have two blacks with similar styles in the finale. So it was pretty obvious Blake wasn't going home tonight.

Did anyone notice the slip up by Ryan?? He basically gave the result away before going to commercial.. He said something like "wait to see Melinda go home" or something like that. I think Melinda knew she was going home after that.. and had time to let her emotions out. I noticed during the Maroon 5 performance that she was sobbing.

I'm sure Melinda will do well in her career, quite possibly better than if she had won.

I'm not surprised with the results, but still pouting... only saw the last 5 minutes tonight, not even sure I'll turn the Tivo on to watch the whole darn thing. Now I'm gonna have to switch allegience to Blake ... if we're going to bypass the best singer, we might as well go with the most original.

Did anyone notice the slip up by Ryan?? He basically gave the result away before going to commercial.. He said something like "wait to see Melinda go home" or something like that. I think Melinda knew she was going home after that.. and had time to let her emotions out. I noticed during the Maroon 5 performance that she was sobbing.
What are you smoking??? Ryan said nothing even close to that!

What are you smoking??? Ryan said nothing even close to that!
He said exactly that.

He was referring to the video of Melinda actually going home. My gf and I wondered whether it was a bit of foreshadowing and whether it was on purpose. I'm sure it was.

What are you smoking??? Ryan said nothing even close to that!

Oh yes he did. It was after Elliot's performance if I recall correctly.. he said something like "Melinda goes home",

Oh yes he did. It was after Elliot's performance if I recall correctly.. he said something like "Melinda goes home",
If that was foreshadowing, then the local NBC affiliate really had their crystal ball going when they said Monday "Melinda came home" when she visited Brentwood.

:rolleyes:

If that was foreshadowing, then the local NBC affiliate really had their crystal ball going when they said Monday "Melinda came home" when she visited Brentwood.

:rolleyes:
Ryan said:

"Plus more emotional results and Melinda goes home. Stay with us."

as he sent the show off for commercial break after Elliot sang.

Elliott got some new teeth.

Ryan said:

"Plus more emotional results and Melinda goes home. Stay with us."

as he sent the show off for commercial break after Elliot sang.

Why didn't I catch that?

That's quite a screw up for Ryan.

Ryan said:

"Plus more emotional results and Melinda goes home. Stay with us."

as he sent the show off for commercial break after Elliot sang.

Thank you.. exactly what Ryan said.

I think Ryan mentioned in an interview that he knows who's going home.. hours before the show starts. So I guess it just slipped out/or he was just referring to the video coming up with Melinda. Either way the outcome was correct :D

Well considering the next segment in the show was when Melinda went back home to visit her home town, I am guessing that's what Ryan meant...but what a terrible phrase to use. I rewound the DVR and after he said that you could see the absolutely stunned look on Melinda's face.

I'm done for the season. Everyone I liked has been voted off the show. There's no point for me to watch the finale next week.

Elliott got some new teeth.
Those are some big choppers! :D
I didn't care too much for Elliot last year,but seeing a "limp" talent like Blake make it this far makes you appreciate somebody who can actually sing.

I'm taking this opportunity to say "I told you so."

The proof is in the pudding.

Next week, as previously predicted, Jordin wins.

This is easy.

Elliott got some new teeth.

Kelly Pickler's new boobs > Elliott Yamin's new teeth

whats the deal with all the "i told you so's"? get over it people, so you picked correctly, not exactly rocket science here.

thrilled that Filinda is going home, she was annoying in many ways. and Ryan did not slip up when saying Filinda was going home, it was just her turn to "go home" like jordin and blake. Duh...

edit: typo

Boy, when they showed all of those pink cellphone girls chasing down Blake in his limo like he was John Lennon in 1964 -- you just knew it was curtains for Melinda.

Jordin's no shoo-in with this audience. Beware the power of pink.

BTW, I thought Elliott -- even with a somewhat lame song -- demonstrated how far the men have sunk, what with Blake over in the wings.

Those are some big choppers! :D
I didn't care too much for Elliot last year,but seeing a "limp" talent like Blake make it this far makes you appreciate somebody who can actually sing.

Elliot looked like Adam Sandler when he came on stage.

I guess this is why America keeps tuning in for this show. Nothing can be taken for granted.

I imagine a lot of people realized after yesterday's performances that Melinda was not only consistent, but she never changed her style at all in each of the songs and in most of her performances. Blake and Jordin did change it up a bit, sometimes to their own detriment.

Jordin is probably the favorite now, but you never know. Sometimes the Yankees don't win the World Series even if they a favorite every time.

I guess this is why America keeps tuning in for this show. Nothing can be taken for granted.

I imagine a lot of people realized after yesterday's performances that Melinda was not only consistent, but she never changed her style at all in each of the songs and in most of her performances. Blake and Jordin did change it up a bit, sometimes to their own detriment.

Jordin is probably the favorite now, but you never know. Sometimes the Yankees don't win the World Series even if they a favorite every time.


How many different styles do pop acts usually have? They are many of them that don't change their style and still make it big.

I'm glad Melinda didn't win, now she won't have to sing some formula first album created by the Idol producers. You know they already have songs written for the winner.

Well I called it. I had a feeling Melinda would get the axe first because Blake went the extra mile and learned a new song and he has a unique look and style that is different (no matter how average his voice is) and that could be very marketable. We have a Tina Turner already and we don't need a wannabe. All her performances looked and sounded the same. Never anything really different. Like I said before: she simply is not "the total package". It takes more than just an above average voice to make it big in the music industry now days. Some may think that is unfortunate, but it is very true. Melinda (to be kind) just didn't have that look or appeal. I could be rude and crass and point out features, but I don't have to. Everyone knows exactly what I am talking about. Blake is definitely no better though in terms of look or ability. He'll definitely be gone next week for sure.

As I said before, neither one of them are anywhere near the superstar level of Jordin. She is also at the perfect age to start a music career and have plenty of years ahead of her, and that will enable her to make a heck of a lot of money for both herself and her record company. Ryan said almost 60 million for Melinda, but the real number was probably closer to 50 million than anywere near the over 60 million votes that Jordin got and Blake probably just barely squeaked by Melinda to snag the second spot. Jordin will sleep very well for the remainder of this season. She's a definite lock for the win. All she has to do now is record and start rehearsing for her debut single. Given her level of talent and ability, that should be a breeze.

On an HD note (since this is the HD forum); American Idol looked and sounded absolutely amazing tonight, as it always does (for me at least).

I don't have anything against Jordan but her bubbly giggly personality is starting to get on my nerves...I know....I know....she's only 17.

So after all the thousands of auditions of various contestants from around the country we come down to the final 2... The beatboxer with the goofy mouth and the gigantic Disney princess. What the hell? Even Simon looked bored.

Wow. Melinda, possibly the best singer on AI ever didn't make it to the final round...
Should read: "Wow. Melinda, possibly the best TECHNICAL singer on AI ever didn't make it to the final round."

Even with that entirely necessary stipulation, it's still quite a stretch. :confused:

I didn't care too much for Elliot last year,but seeing a "limp" talent like Blake make it this far makes you appreciate somebody who can actually sing.
...And after seeing a pale, shallow, and boring "talent" like Elligoat having the insane fortune of getting to the final 3, then bombing on the AI stage even after a full year of growth, it makes you really appreciate someone that can actually entertain, like Blake.

Oh c'mon, spyder. You're just jealous because Elliot got closer to Kat McScreechy than you'll ever get. :D

Everyone talks about who's album they would or wouldn't buy. There is only one AI contestant in all the years that I actually listen to his/her album. That is Chris Daughtry. I watch this show for the entertainment, as most the singers are not my cup of tea for every day music listening. I've said all season that Melinda was/is annyoning to me. The Whitney Houston song she sang was bad in my opinion. To me, her voice Warbles/vibrato with EVERY word. I'm just not into that. Not much to pick from this year, but I think the best two are in the final. I think Jordin is great, Blake not so much. He'll have a career producing or directing Hip Hop as he has a great talent, just not for singing.

It is VERY safe to say Elliot is the best male vocalist to come out of the show.

No other guy is even close.

It is VERY safe to say Elliot is the best male vocalist to come out of the show.

No other guy is even close.

Based on your opinion only

Elliot looks like one of the Muppets now.

Yeah, look... I'm not a huge Clay fan but I think he's a better singer than Elliot. And Chris... excuse me, Daughtry... in his element is certainly better. It is all a matter of taste.

Now, I told me wife before the results that Melinda was done. I was sad to see it because I think she is clearly a better singer than the other two, but as has been said SOOOOO many times this isn't a singing competition. I think she'll be just fine in her career and I bet I'd buy a CD from her depending on what she releases.

I think Yamin has a great voice. That song last night didn't hava a hook, so on the first three listenings, it ain't gonna grab you, so if it gets to be a hit, it will only be because he has a large enough existing fan base. Which I doubt.

Except for the clothes (get rid of the plaid and the sneakers -working class hero? pick your own clothes out of the laundry at college?), he looking a LOT better with hair and the dental work, but he doesn't have much, if any, of that confident alpha male thing that grabs female fans.

And boy did Maroon 5 bomb. Bad song and bad production. The lead looked scared. They can do a lot better than that.

The competition among the three semifinalists was very close, so I suppose the result can’t really be considered surprising. Nevertheless, the voting public’s decision to dump Melinda, one of the finest singers I have heard in many years, is a useful reminder of why so many of us are so cynical about AI. Next week I am going to watch the season finale of Criminal Minds, which will cause my TiVo to dump AI. That’s a good thing because the suspense is gone. Jordin has the thing in the bag. Book it.

Now, I told me wife before the results that Melinda was done. I was sad to see it because I think she is clearly a better singer than the other two, but as has been said SOOOOO many times this isn't a singing competition.Like I said before: If you watched the "going home" segment with Blake, it's obvious that the votes that put him in the finals (and sent Melinda packing) came from screaming girls who, most likely, were talking to each other on their cellphones (with the TV audio muted) during his AI performances.

He's gonna need all of those votes to defeat a girl who -- has anyone noticed it? -- is ONLY 17!!

I think Yamin has a great voice. That song last night didn't hava a hook, so on the first three listenings, it ain't gonna grab you, so if it gets to be a hit, it will only be because he has a large enough existing fan base.i agree...i actually like a lot of Elliott's CD...it really ain't bad.

Except for the clothes (get rid of the plaid and the sneakers -working class hero? pick your own clothes out of the laundgry at college?), he looking a LOT better with hair and the dental work, but he doesn't have much, if any, of that confident alpha male thing that grabs female fans.i disagree with the outfit comment...my wife and i thought he looked pretty stylish up there, but i do agree that he lacks the "alpha male thing"...he's a good singer, but he just doesn't captivate ya.

And boy did Maroon 5 bomb. Bad song and bad production. The lead looked scared. They can do a lot better than that.yeah, my wife hated the performance...i didn't think it was that bad, but Maroon 5 can do better IMO...from what i've heard, they don't want to be "doing this forever" and will probably break up in the next couple years...which was evident in their "going through the motions" performance last night.

as for the competition...i (seriously) called a Blake v Jordin finale 6-8 weeks ago...Blake's got the rabid female teeny-bopper vote and Jordin has a ton of talent. i think it'll be a close one next week...too close for me to call. personally, i like Blake...he's got entertainment value for days, but depending on the song, he does sometimes struggle with his singing...i think he'll do fine in the mainstream because he'll write/sing songs that will fit his voice more than something like, say the Bee Gees.


sturmie

I think Yamin has a great voice. That song last night didn't hava a hook, so on the first three listenings, it ain't gonna grab you, so if it gets to be a hit, it will only be because he has a large enough existing fan base. Which I doubt.

Except for the clothes (get rid of the plaid and the sneakers -working class hero? pick your own clothes out of the laundgry at college?), he looking a LOT better with hair and the dental work, but he doesn't have much, if any, of that confident alpha male thing that grabs female fans.

And boy did Maroon 5 bomb. Bad song and bad production. The lead looked scared. They can do a lot better than that.
I really loved Marron 5's performance. I loved it so much I ordered their new CD.

Turns out that it's really excellent.

Remember the age range of the people who vote, and the final two is not that surprising. I think Jordin wins, by a fairly safe margin.

It is VERY safe to say Elliot is the best male vocalist to come out of the show.

No other guy is even close.

Joke? :eek:

Elliot looks like one of the Muppets now.


He has changed from Mr. Tumnus to Dirk Nowitzki.

Joke? :eek:

Probably not in his opinion. Which is alright. Everyone has a different take on things. My take?

Elliott seems to be a humble lad. But as a singer, I think he sucks big goat's ...., probably giving him that fake vibrato in every note he sings.. He is no where near the best male voice produced by AI.

Clay is at least as good and some times even better. Chris Daughtry is better on his worst day than Yamin has been on his best. Hell, Chris Sligh and Phil have been so much better than Yamin was last year.

There.

Should read: "Wow. Melinda, possibly the best TECHNICAL singer on AI ever didn't make it to the final round."

Even with that entirely necessary stipulation, it's still quite a stretch. :confused:


...And after seeing a pale, shallow, and boring "talent" like Elligoat having the insane fortune of getting to the final 3, then bombing on the AI stage even after a full year of growth, it makes you really appreciate someone that can actually entertain, like Blake.

lol-come on-you can't be serious.Sanjaya was more entertaining than Blake,and probably a stronger singer.

it would be classic if melinda became a backup singer again

The competition among the three semifinalists was very close, so I suppose the result can’t really be considered surprising. Nevertheless, the voting public’s decision to dump Melinda, one of the finest singers I have heard in many years, is a useful reminder of why so many of us are so cynical about AI. Next week I am going to watch the season finale of Criminal Minds, which will cause my TiVo to dump AI. That’s a good thing because the suspense is gone. Jordin has the thing in the bag. Book it.

You know, I love Jordin and want her to win, but I would not count Blake out just yet. Everyone thought Katherine had it in the bag last year and guess what? The better ENTERTAINER, not better SINGER won American Idol.

I love both Blake and Jordin. Both are amazing all around performers. Having a knock out voice does not always mean you are the best entertainer. Sure Whitney Houston has an absolutely amazing voice...better than Madonna. But who is the best stadium filling female audience? Who is more popular? YUP Madonna.

it would be classic if melinda became a backup singer again

LOL...yes it would. However, even if she went back to being a backup singer, I bet it would be for some MAJOR MAJOR bands/singers where she'd still be making good money. I guess we'll find out after her album flops....LOL..j/k...don't lynch me people.

My cousin is the bass player and backup singer for Keith Urban. My cousin has some great stuff of his own, but has never been able to break through with his own stuff. He's been VERY close, but no cigar. Now that he's been a backup singer and bass player for Keith, he's been producing a lot of music in Nashville. So, although I don't care for Melinda's style, and I really don't think her style will sell many albums, her future of a musician is set.

One thing worth saying is that it will be a far more interesting final with Blake and Jordin than with Jordin and Melinda. Two very different singers, different genders, different fan-bases. A lot like last year, only with better talent on both sides.

Here's hoping that they MAKE them choose new songs for the finals, and not allow repeat performances of songs they think they did well before. That's far too safe and makes the whole event boring, IMO.

Oh... and any guesses who will perform with Sanjaya?

Oh... and any guesses who will perform with Sanjaya?

It would have to be someone with hair......

Weird Al Yankovic?

Clay is at least as good and some times even better. Chris Daughtry is better on his worst day than Yamin has been on his best. Hell, Chris Sligh and Phil have been so much better than Yamin was last year.

I'll give you Clay and Daughtry, but Yamin is better than any male that this season has seen. Phil had a few good performances, but was extremely inconsistent. ChriTH THligh...no way.

Elliott got some new teeth.

John Elway called - he wants his teeth back.

You know, I love Jordin and want her to win, but I would not count Blake out just yet. Everyone thought Katherine had it in the bag last year and guess what? The better ENTERTAINER, not better SINGER won American Idol.

I love both Blake and Jordin. Both are amazing all around performers. Having a knock out voice does not always mean you are the best entertainer. Sure Whitney Houston has an absolutely amazing voice...better than Madonna. But who is the best stadium filling female audience? Who is more popular? YUP Madonna.

Madonna, a stadium-filling female audience? We are talking about a junior high basketball stadium, right?

Madonna, a stadium-filling female audience? We are talking about a junior high basketball stadium, right?

I think she was referring to when they were both in their heyday. Not so much anymore...

Madonna, a stadium-filling female audience? We are talking about a junior high basketball stadium, right?
I think she was referring to when they were both in their heyday. Not so much anymore...
You guys sure about that? Is it possible that you have no idea what you're talking about? Do you think it's possible - likely even - that you're completely full of crap and just make up whatever "facts" you think should be true?


Try these facts:

"On her 2006 Confessions Tour, Madonna performed in front of 1.2 million people and grossed more than $260 million, making it the top-grossing tour ever by a female artist."

"Billboard Boxscore has announced its top 10 tours of 2006 (globally), which are as follows:

1. Rolling Stones: $437 million gross (rounded). Top-grossing tour of all time.

2. Madonna: $195 million. Top all-time tour by female artist."

"2006 Mid-Year Top 50 Tours
1 $54.3 million Madonna 291,621 tickets"


Her tour was 60 dates with a total of 1.2 million tickets for an average (average!) of 20,000 people per show.

How many people did your junior high gym hold?

You guys sure about that? Is it possible that you have no idea what you're talking about? Do you think it's possible - likely even - that you're completely full of crap and just make up whatever "facts" you think should be true?

I was really just doing the comparison when they two singers were at approximately the same point in their careers, say late 80s - I would hazard a guess (no fact-checking done!) that Madonna filled up more concerts than Whitney did at that point. No doubt Madonna is still a selling force in the industry today.

You guys sure about that? Is it possible that you have no idea what you're talking about? Do you think it's possible - likely even - that you're completely full of crap and just make up whatever "facts" you think should be true?


Try these facts:

"On her 2006 Confessions Tour, Madonna performed in front of 1.2 million people and grossed more than $260 million, making it the top-grossing tour ever by a female artist."

"Billboard Boxscore has announced its top 10 tours of 2006 (globally), which are as follows:

1. Rolling Stones: $437 million gross (rounded). Top-grossing tour of all time.

2. Madonna: $195 million. Top all-time tour by female artist."

"2006 Mid-Year Top 50 Tours
1 $54.3 million Madonna 291,621 tickets"


Her tour was 60 dates with a total of 1.2 million tickets for an average (average!) of 20,000 people per show.

How many people did your junior high gym hold?

So when will The Stones be on AI?

You guys sure about that? Is it possible that you have no idea what you're talking about? Do you think it's possible - likely even - that you're completely full of crap and just make up whatever "facts" you think should be true?


Try these facts:

"On her 2006 Confessions Tour, Madonna performed in front of 1.2 million people and grossed more than $260 million, making it the top-grossing tour ever by a female artist."

"Billboard Boxscore has announced its top 10 tours of 2006 (globally), which are as follows:

1. Rolling Stones: $437 million gross (rounded). Top-grossing tour of all time.

2. Madonna: $195 million. Top all-time tour by female artist."

"2006 Mid-Year Top 50 Tours
1 $54.3 million Madonna 291,621 tickets"


Her tour was 60 dates with a total of 1.2 million tickets for an average (average!) of 20,000 people per show.

How many people did your junior high gym hold?
Unfair. Unfair. Using facts and all ....
You know this crowd isn't into that.

So when will The Stones be on AI?
I don't remember Madonna performing in AI.

I remember seeing a taped segment featuring her with hungry African children, but that's it. Obviously relief for hunger and disease in Africa is one of Madonna's pet projects so that's no surprise.

Did she perform on AI?

You guys sure about that? Is it possible that you have no idea what you're talking about? Do you think it's possible - likely even - that you're completely full of crap and just make up whatever "facts" you think should be true?


Try these facts:

"On her 2006 Confessions Tour, Madonna performed in front of 1.2 million people and grossed more than $260 million, making it the top-grossing tour ever by a female artist."

"Billboard Boxscore has announced its top 10 tours of 2006 (globally), which are as follows:

1. Rolling Stones: $437 million gross (rounded). Top-grossing tour of all time.

2. Madonna: $195 million. Top all-time tour by female artist."

"2006 Mid-Year Top 50 Tours
1 $54.3 million Madonna 291,621 tickets"


Her tour was 60 dates with a total of 1.2 million tickets for an average (average!) of 20,000 people per show.

How many people did your junior high gym hold?


Oh, you're just making that up.

So when will The Stones be on AI?
When they put wheelchair ramps on the stage :D
If Mick & the boys ever do appear on Idol... I would be sure to watch that episode in SD on our 15" LCD tv in the kitchen.
The Stones in HD ?? :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

Cowell's reactions to Jordin's songs Tuesday were fascinating. It's obvious to me that the judges have access to the voting totals, so Simon knew that Melinda was in trouble, and his mission was to get enough votes for Melinda to get her into the finals with Jordin. So he wasn't honest in his evaluations in order to try to influence the voting. That's a bad precedent, and he should be called on it. Jordin's third song - which she had done previously - is one of the great magical performances ever on AI, and to dismiss it as Simon did borders on weird.

It's also surprising, in a way, that Simon liked Melinda so much. He is always complaining about contestants sounding old, and Melinda isn't contemporary. Maybe he was just trying to get the two best singers into the finals. In my opinion, we haven't heard the best from Melinda yet. As consistent as she was, she didn't show all that much emotion in her singing, and I think the competition format makes a singer concentrate more on not screwing up than in moving the audience. Personally I'd buy an album of Melinda singing Gershwin or Cole Porter, and I think the beauty of her voice would make them recordings to savor for years to come - much like Linda Rondstad's of some years back. Wouldn't sell much to the hip-hop generation, but great art never does.

Jordin should win easily, and she deserves it, with her stunning voice (still developing) and ability to sing emotionally under these crazy circumstances. Blake is a much lesser talent that the ladies but has an engaging style and I wish him well. If he won, it would be a reminder, already obvious, that you can't trust America to vote for the right person.

Oh c'mon, spyder. You're just jealous because Elliot got closer to Kat McScreechy than you'll ever get. :D
LOL! To some degree, that is true. I'd love to get close enough to watch a catfight between Blatherin' MacMe and Yelly Darksun. The absolute and unwarranted sense of entitlement shown between those two is astounding, and has been matched only by Rantonyella Barbie. Hell, let's do the world a favor and make it a three-way fight to the death.

Spyder, has there ever been a female contestant on AI that you've actually liked? It seems like you've bagged on pretty much all of them since I've been reading this thread...

Spyder, has there ever been a female contestant on AI that you've actually liked? It seems like you've bagged on pretty much all of them since I've been reading this thread...
Most of us would never have a chance with someone as beautiful as Katharine. Some of us react to this reality by expressing contempt for her and all other pretty women who would never look at us. Others of us appreciate them, enjoy watching from afar, and hope for better luck in the next reincarnation. I think the second approach is healthier.

When they put wheelchair ramps on the stage :D
If Mick & the boys ever do appear on Idol... I would be sure to watch that episode in SD on our 15" LCD tv in the kitchen.
The Stones in HD ?? :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

I'll bet you that Mick is in better shape than Lakisha.

Keith Richards may never die because no bacteria, virus, cancer cell, etc. can survive in his body.

Cowell's reactions to Jordin's songs Tuesday were fascinating. It's obvious to me that the judges have access to the voting totals, so Simon knew that Melinda was in trouble, and his mission was to get enough votes for Melinda to get her into the finals with Jordin. So he wasn't honest in his evaluations in order to try to influence the voting. That's a bad precedent, and he should be called on it. Jordin's third song - which she had done previously - is one of the great magical performances ever on AI, and to dismiss it as Simon did borders on weird.

It's also surprising, in a way, that Simon liked Melinda so much. He is always complaining about contestants sounding old, and Melinda isn't contemporary. Maybe he was just trying to get the two best singers into the finals. In my opinion, we haven't heard the best from Melinda yet. As consistent as she was, she didn't show all that much emotion in her singing, and I think the competition format makes a singer concentrate more on not screwing up than in moving the audience. Personally I'd buy an album of Melinda singing Gershwin or Cole Porter, and I think the beauty of her voice would make them recordings to savor for years to come - much like Linda Rondstad's of some years back. Wouldn't sell much to the hip-hop generation, but great art never does.


Or Simon felt the same way I did that nothing Jordin did was that great. The arrangement of the song he choose was wrong and screwed up the song. The second song was boring. The third song wasn't as good as when she originally sang it. That being said both Melinda and Jordin were better than Black on Tuesday. I think you did nail the problem with Melinda's last two songs, they were too old. Some one should have forced her to sing a song within the last five years that wasn't a gospel song.

I'll give you Clay and Daughtry, but Yamin is better than any male that this season has seen. Thats not saying much when we have a beat boxer in the final. If you remember back it was clear this year that all of the men were WEAK.

I find something interesting about Jordin.. Her dad is a former NFL star, who played cornerback for both the Cowboys and Giants. Also both of her parents are now real estate agents.

I got this from another message board, and their source was Wiki!

Wiki can be tricky! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phillippi_Sparks)

Elliot looked like Adam Sandler when he came on stage.
Really? I thought he looked like Peter Brady. He certainly had the hair nailed. :eek:

Really? I thought he looked like Peter Brady. He certainly had the hair nailed. :eek:

Mr. Tumnus.

I find it interesting that all this praise is heaped on Jordin. Maybe everyone here has so much invested in the AI process that you want your finalists to be, well, finalist caliber. Let me just say, I don't get Jordin at all. I don't like her voice; she's pitchy and her tone and vibrato are annoying. I don't care that she's 17--I didn't think this was a contest about potential. I doubt I would ever be moved to buy a CD she puts out.

I will be interested to see what Blake does, and I very well might buy his CD.

I think she has a lot of potential. Her voice really isn't all that great. She can hit some powerful notes, but she warbles and loses the pitch pretty often. I guess that can probably smoothed out with training and production.

She has personality and her voice has personality.

She has the *potential* to be a big star and amazing singer.

Blake, on the other hand, *is* a big star and a good singer. His singing has gotten markedly better over the course of the competition and now he's more than adequate. He can sing, he can carry a melody well without having pitch problems, he's a heck of a showman, and he loves working with music. Blake *is* the total package as far as I can see. He also seems to have a healthy respect for the music and I can't see him singing BS lyrics over BS pop music, which is one of the reasons I can't wait to see what kind of CD he puts out.

Jordin, on the other hand, will be singing whatever they tell her to sing. She probably won't really even hear the rest of the song til "they" are done recording it.

Blake, on the other hand, *is* a big star and a good singer. His singing has gotten markedly better over the course of the competition and now he's more than adequate. He can sing, he can carry a melody well without having pitch problems, he's a heck of a showman, and he loves working with music. Blake *is* the total package as far as I can see. He also seems to have a healthy respect for the music and I can't see him singing BS lyrics over BS pop music, which is one of the reasons I can't wait to see what kind of CD he puts out.

Jordin, on the other hand, will be singing whatever they tell her to sing. She probably won't really even hear the rest of the song til "they" are done recording it.

You summed it up very well. I like Jordin myself, but I think Blake is the better entertainer.

He just comes off well. On stage where he knows how to work the cameras and "style" his music, and off the stage. Look at how well he ad libs with Seacrest, and how his hometown visit went...he's meant to be in this business.

I think of the 2, Jordin has the potential to have a much bigger career. Doesn't mean she will, just that I think she has the potential to.

You summed it up very well. I like Jordin myself, but I think Blake is the better entertainer.

He just comes off well. On stage where he knows how to work the cameras and "style" his music, and off the stage. Look at how well he ad libs with Seacrest, and how his hometown visit went...he's meant to be in this business.
I just reread my post and realized that I have three hands :eek:

I didn't notice that. :)

One thing that Blake could improve upon is the wardrobe. I know he wants to dress all hip and fresh and all that, but the stuff he's picking is extremely unflattering. Were those birkenstocks that he had on last night with the white socks? For the look he's going for, that just doesn't work. Bleh.

Jordin last night looked particularly good though. Melinda looked very nice too. It was amazing how far she's come since some of those early scenes of her they showed in her farewell.

Spyder, has there ever been a female contestant on AI that you've actually liked? It seems like you've bagged on pretty much all of them since I've been reading this thread...
Loved Carrie. Despite being astoundingly physically beautiful, she is also resoundingly sweet, real, and humble, all of which adds to her undeniable attractiveness. She is the perfect anti-Clarkson/McPhee/Barba, all of whom buy into the notions of those like cwilson (shown at bottom of post) that their perceived genetic beauty affords them the opportunity to exude a bitchy entitlement attitude at every turn. :mad:

There are others as well. Pickler was truly adorable, despite those that thought it was an act. Jordin emits an aura of likeability rarely matched. Melinda, while not blessed with the greatest of femininity, appears to be a genuinely good person, and thus, is attractive. Amy Adams (pink hair) had a unique brand of cuteness to her. Becky O'Donohue was far more stunning than any of those I've called out, but didn't come off with an attitude. Jessica Sierra had a nice blend of bad girl/good girl rawness that was easy to like. Kimberly Locke, Kimerly Caldwell, and on and on. :)

Taken one step further, Tyra Banks, one of the most stunning women on Earth, has never, ever, ever came off as anything but approachable and warm. She is drop-dead gorgeous, yet expects nothing be handed to her. Jessica Alba, on the other hand, thinks that having some random set of chromosomes aligning to give her a geat ass allows her to be an ass. :confused:

Someone that is fun, a good person, that you can talk to, enjoy being around, is approachable, kind, genuine, and giving, and has good genetics is the true definition of beauty, my friends. Fortunately, I found my most beautiful mate and stopped ogling and coveting bitchy eye-candy years ago...some, apparently never outgrow their most base desires. :(

Most of us would never have a chance with someone as beautiful as Katharine. Some of us react to this reality by expressing contempt for her and all other pretty women who would never look at us. Others of us appreciate them, enjoy watching from afar, and hope for better luck in the next reincarnation. I think the second approach is healthier.

I just reread my post and realized that I have three hands :eek:

Better to catch yourself with.

...Blake is a much lesser talent that the ladies but has an engaging style and I wish him well. If he won, it would be a reminder, already obvious, that you can't trust America to vote for the right person.Huh??? So who gets to decide who that "right person" is? Oh, yeah - America! :rolleyes:

Huh??? So who gets to decide who that "right person" is? Oh, yeah - America! :rolleyes:That's true - in American Idol, as in American President.

Wow... to hear all of the "Blaker Girls" who seem to have taken over all permitted opinions in this thread and who attack anybody who thinks differently (i.e. has a different OPINION), this no-lipped no-toothed beatboxer with the dyed hair, white socks and sandals or silly "hip" sneakers, is the greatest thing to come along since sliced bread.

To sum it up: I prefer the singing ability, charm, and personality of "Baby" Jordin... who is younger and less experienced (after all, the one with the hair highlights is a "professional", is he not?). I like her husky voice (like Susan Tedeschi, as I've said before), I like her style when singing, and given the proper coaching and time to mature as a stage performer I believe she will not only win America's votes and this competition but will actually also go on to be a real success in her future professional singing career (after college, I hope).

To me, IN MY OPINION, Blake is simply a person who, apparently, appeals to a certain younger element in a way I cannot fathom. I don't like his "current take" on older songs, and I don't like his stage movements and little silly dance steps... not to mention his no-lips and no-teeth appearance when he sings, little darting glances left and right to look cool, etc. I SIMPLY DO NOT LIKE HIM.

That's my opinion and I'm stickin' to it.

Jordin gets my vote.

Jessica Sierra had a nice blend of bad girl/good girl rawness that was easy to like.
- I think this guy would disagree with the her likeability. ;)

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,269117,00.html

I don't remember Madonna performing in AI.

I remember seeing a taped segment featuring her with hungry African children, but that's it. Obviously relief for hunger and disease in Africa is one of Madonna's pet projects so that's no surprise.

Did she perform on AI?

If you guys read into my post, I was explaining that the BEST performer does not always have to be the best singer. I was comparing the fact that even though Whitney Houston is a better singer vocally, Madonna is EONS past Whitney in the terms of PERFORMANCE.

And thank you to Johnny for backing up my statement about Madonna selling out stadiums with fact :)

Wow... to hear all of the "Blaker Girls" who seem to have taken over all permitted opinions in this thread and who attack anybody who thinks differently (i.e. has a different OPINION), this no-lipped no-toothed beatboxer with the dyed hair, white socks and sandals or silly "hip" sneakers, is the greatest thing to come along since sliced bread.

To sum it up: I prefer the singing ability, charm, and personality of "Baby" Jordin... who is younger and less experienced (after all, the one with the hair highlights is a "professional", is he not?). I like her husky voice (like Susan Tedeschi, as I've said before), I like her style when singing, and given the proper coaching and time to mature as a stage performer I believe she will not only win America's votes and this competition but will actually also go on to be a real success in her future professional singing career (after college, I hope).

To me, IN MY OPINION, Blake is simply a person who, apparently, appeals to a certain younger element in a way I cannot fathom. I don't like his "current take" on older songs, and I don't like his stage movements and little silly dance steps... not to mention his no-lips and no-teeth appearance when he sings, little darting glances left and right to look cool, etc. I SIMPLY DO NOT LIKE HIM.

That's my opinion and I'm stickin' to it.

Jordin gets my vote.

DS: Is there any way you can post and say you don't like Blake without attacking his personal attributes?

Is it just me or does anyone else feel they often hide Jordins voice in the mix, especially the uptempo stuff.

And on Blake's version of Roxanne was their a ton of reverb.

As for Melinda, she went out with class. I would have taken the microphone and said, "Oh, and to the producer who picked Nut Bush County for me to sing-Have a Nice Day!"

Now kids, let's not fight.

I was so mad when Melinda was eliminated I threw the remote across the room and vowed to never watch their stupid show again (that'd really hurt FOX!). But, by today, I've decided to turn my allegiance to Blake. You gotta give him points for originality (at least as far as AI goes).

Actually Maltby, I thought the exact opposite. I thought when other singers were singing, the mixer turned up the band to drown out the ho hum singer. But when Jordin sings, I can hear her as clear as day.

I also disagree that she Jordin is pitchy. She seems to sing spot on every note, crystal clear.

And yes, kudo's to Blake for originality and hip style. I would pay to see him live.

Just watched this week's shows. (Took less than an hour for both shows--thanks, HTPC!)
I want Jordin to win now. Melinda was the finest singer ever on AI, including all the celebrity guests. I hope she makes her recording career a huge success.

Saw Maroon 5 on Leno last month. They were -- limp.

So, got another crack at them on AI last night.

Seems like they've gone from limp to forgettable.

(Or is it just me?)

Mr. Tumnus.
Talk about irony. Just when he gets his teeth fixed he looks like he is trying out for a role in the new Cavemen sitcom. :D

Saw Maroon 5 on Leno last month. They were -- limp.

So, got another crack at them on AI last night.

Seems like they've gone from limp to forgettable.

(Or is it just me?)

I thought they sucked too. One of those bands that sound way better in studio than live.

FYI. Maroon 5 is on SNL this week, if anyone wants another listen.

If you guys read into my post, I was explaining that the BEST performer does not always have to be the best singer. I was comparing the fact that even though Whitney Houston is a better singer vocally, Madonna is EONS past Whitney in the terms of PERFORMANCE.

And thank you to Johnny for backing up my statement about Madonna selling out stadiums with fact :)

Yeah, but Whitney doesn't dance though. So you really can't compare performances. I've seen Whitney in concert 3 times and Madonna once and its apples & oranges. At one concert in Miami Whitney got at lease 7 standing ovations.

Thats like comparing Michael Jackson to Barbara Streisand. A better comparison might be Madonna and Janet Jackson. It would make a good debate as to which is the better performer (or better singer for that matter).

I get your point though that a good singer does not necessarily make a good performer. We have seen this on AI countless times.

Thats like comparing Michael Jackson to Barbara Streisand. A better comparison might be Madonna and Janet Jackson. It would make a good debate as to which is the better performer (or better singer for that matter).


A better comparison might be Madonna and Dame Edna.

FYI. Maroon 5 is on SNL this week, if anyone wants another listen.

No thanks, it was painful enough to hear them on Idol, I don't want to relive that any time soon.

Maroon 5 has long been thought to have a "highly processed" sound, so it's no surprise that all of their live acts pretty much blow.

Maroon 5 has long been thought to have a "highly processed" sound, so it's no surprise that all of their live acts pretty much blow.

Like Max Headroom's.

My gf and I loved Maroon 5's performance.

My gf and I loved Maroon 5's performance.

And down to the final two. Max Headroom versus Madame Maxime. Nole should have a field day with these two.

Like Max Headroom's.

Except Blake (I had to figure who the heck you were comparing Max Headroom too) sounds pretty darn good live.

Have you heard a studio version of his songs that were markedly better than his live versions, like Maroon 5?

Except Blake (I had to figure who the heck you were comparing Max Headroom too) sounds pretty darn good live.

Have you heard a studio version of his songs that were markedly better than his live versions, like Maroon 5?

Thank you so much for asking.
I try to avoid cow-eyed, self indulgent tools who try to sound like Max Headroom singing some Cramps' tune.

Suit yourself, but your attempt at an analogy above doesn't work unless you have.

Having watched this season of AI I have few observations:
Melinda Doolitle, what ever issues some have with her personality, presence or whatever, is to me, the most acomplished pure singer that the show has ever had as a contestant. There was no genre that her voice could not handle and, despite what others think, I felt that she was a consumate performer, molding her presentation perfectly to each number that she sang. I was not however shocked by her dismissal this week (very disappointed though). I suspect that her age and "appearance" played against her with AI's core of young voters. As for Jordan and Blake, each is talented BUT, Jordan reminds me of a child beauty pageant contestant who has been groomed from pre-school to be a Miss Whatever. She's a bit too smooth and composed for her age. She has a good but not great voice, and too often sings right at the outer edge of her range sounding shrill and without vocal weight. Blake also has strained on several songs when he was at the very limit of his high range (singing like Sting? I think not). Within his comfort zone (and without the silly gimmicks) he actually has a pretty good voice and some serious stage presence chops. Either of the two finalists will appeal to to the teen/tween demographic but, frankly, neither is close to Kelly Clarkson or Carrie Underwood in sheer vocal talent. Kelly has a hallowed place in Rock\Pop and Carrie is country superstar because their managers/producers understood where their natural stengths were. I can't see Blake or Jordan gaving that kind of durable success. Melinda will probably make it as an R&B and/or Smooth Jazz singer and may outlast both of them.

Either of the two finalists will appeal to to the teen/tween demographic but, frankly, neither is close to Kelly Clarkson or Carrie Underwood in sheer vocal talent. Kelly has a hallowed place in Rock\Pop and Carrie is country superstar because their managers/producers understood where their natural stengths were. I can't see Blake or Jordan gaving that kind of durable success. Melinda will probably make it as an R&B and/or Smooth Jazz singer and may outlast both of them.


Blake will be joining Sideshow Bob asking, "What size shoes you need?" at the Dorktown Bowling Alley next year.

Having watched this season of AI I have few observations:
Melinda Doolitle, what ever issues some have with her personality, presence or whatever, is to me, the most acomplished pure singer that the show has ever had as a contestant. There was no genre that her voice could not handle and, despite what others think, I felt that she was a consumate performer, molding her presentation perfectly to each number that she sang. I was not however shocked by her dismissal this week (very disappointed though). I suspect that her age and "appearance" played against her with AI's core of young voters. As for Jordan and Blake, each is talented BUT, Jordan reminds me of a child beauty pageant contestant who has been groomed from pre-school to be a Miss Whatever. She's a bit too smooth and composed for her age. She has a good but not great voice, and too often sings right at the outer edge of her range sounding shrill and without vocal weight. Blake also has strained on several songs when he was at the very limit of his high range (singing like Sting? I think not). Within his comfort zone (and without the silly gimmicks) he actually has a pretty good voice and some serious stage presence chops. Either of the two finalists will appeal to to the teen/tween demographic but, frankly, neither is close to Kelly Clarkson or Carrie Underwood in sheer vocal talent. Kelly has a hallowed place in Rock\Pop and Carrie is country superstar because their managers/producers understood where their natural stengths were. I can't see Blake or Jordan gaving that kind of durable success. Melinda will probably make it as an R&B and/or Smooth Jazz singer and may outlast both of them.
I rarely agree with the totality of comments as comprehensive as the foregoing but this is one time when I do.

Melinda, despite her age and lack of Hollywood looks, is a singer of mythic ability, in a class with some of the best ballad singers ever. It’s a shame that she got dumped, but given the nature of AI’s demographic it was a completely unsurprising turn of events. I, too, think that she will have a successful career.

Unlike Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood, who have superstar talent, the youth and looks to go with it, and are now superstars, neither Blake nor Jordin hold such promise, I think.

Blake is a real showman and moves well, but his voice is mediocre and his musicality worse than that. Thus I don’t see superstardom in his future.

Although I think that Jordin will also fall short of the upper strata of the music business, I concede that she might fool me and make it. She is only 17 years old, so she has a remarkably high up side, especially if she continues to work hard, hones her skills, and gets management with the wit to improve her looks and put her in places that will let her most effectively showcase her gifts. But that’s a lot of “ifs.”

While I agree that Melinda was the best singer technically ever on AI, for me there's something very appealing about Jordin. Voice-wise, she's miles ahead of 90% of today's pop singers, and with certain songs there's a magic to her performances that give her an emotional edge over even Melinda. I get the feeling that she's really into the music. At this point her sound in some passages can be a little screetchy if she isn't careful, but at other times there's a beautiful smooth quality that you don't hear from many people. Even now a studio should be able to get rid of any rough edges, and over the next few years I suspect her singing will get even stronger. So I think she'll be a great Idol.

While I agree that Melinda was the best singer technically ever on AI, for me there's something very appealing about Jordin. Voice-wise, she's miles ahead of 90% of today's pop singers, and with certain songs there's a magic to her performances that give her an emotional edge over even Melinda. I get the feeling that she's really into the music. At this point her sound in some passages can be a little screetchy if she isn't careful, but at other times there's a beautiful smooth quality that you don't hear from many people. Even now a studio should be able to get rid of any rough edges, and over the next few years I suspect her singing will get even stronger. So I think she'll be a great Idol.

Jordin, the winner.

Jordin, the winner.
You use every single post to attack and insult the contestants. Grow up.

You use every single post to attack and insult the contestants. Grow up.

Yep, and it's not even entertaining. At least Nole is funny.

I've reported a few of his posts, but to no effect. Oh well. I'm not going to get worked up about it.

Does it occur to anyone else that the "50 Ft Woman" looks to be more like 200 feet tall?

Smart strategy.

I've reported a few of his posts, but to no effect. Oh well. I'm not going to get worked up about it.

Does it occur to anyone else that the "50 Ft Woman" looks to be more like 200 feet tall?

I have not directed any comment towards any poster personally. I post a picture of the 50 foot woman and you report my posts? Who are you? Blake and Jordin's agent?

I have not directed any comment towards any poster personally. I post a picture of the 50 foot woman and you report my posts? Who are you? Blake and Jordin's agent?Hey, man, I know you're just trying to be funny. But it ain't working. Insult humor is only funny when it's really, hilariously funny. Otherwise it comes across as mean-spirited, low class, and somebody working through his own issues.

Actually I didn't think the 50 foot woman post was in horrible taste, just not funny.

I thought they sucked too. One of those bands that sound way better in studio than live.

I have to agree completely based on what I've seen/heard. I loved their stuff on "Love Actually" soundtrack.

Now, as for demographics, who votes more: the pink vote or the gray vote?

One thing I find amusing is that here on AVS, which is mostly comprised of an over 20 crowd, people complain that Melinda (or other fave of us "older" folk) lost, but then also state that they never vote or let their kids do the voting for the household. It shouldn't come as a shock that Jordin or Blake is far more appealing to teens and pre-teens than Melinda could ever be. That's not a rip on Melinda at all, btw.

One thing I find amusing is that here on AVS, which is mostly comprised of an over 20 crowd, people complain that Melinda (or other fave of us "older" folk) lost, but then also state that they never vote or let their kids do the voting for the household. It shouldn't come as a shock that Jordin or Blake is far more appealing to teens and pre-teens than Melinda could ever be. That's not a rip on Melinda at all, btw.
This is true. AI’s results are governed by a mostly quite young cohort of voters, so it should come as no surprise that the young and pretty often prevail over others with vastly superior musical talent but who are neither as young nor as pretty.

I am amazed that anyone could possibly take Idol seriously enough to want to launch personal attacks against some of the performers but as we have seen again and again in recent posts, it happens. Not to name names, but everyone knows who I mean, such folks need to seek counseling or, better yet, get lives. :)

...I am amazed that anyone could possibly take Idol seriously enough to want to launch personal attacks against some of the performers but as we have seen again and again in recent posts, it happens.
Hey, we can't all be Paula Abdul. ;)

I'm just as guilty as the next guy when it comes to being mean. Quite honestly, about 1/2 of my mean-spirited posts are simply to see if I can get a rise out of people...which it usually does. Sometimes it's fun to argue just for the sake of argument, and it keeps the thread going and growing. :)

Another 1/4 are just to even the playing field against those that literally idolize these no-name wannabe singers. (That's not meant as mean spirited, as they all truly ARE wannabe professionals at this point in their young careers and hardly anyone knew their names before the season began.)

The last 1/4 of the nasty posts are because I truly don't like personality aspects of the person. I typically try not to attack physical characteristics, unless it simply strikes me as weird, as in Clarkson's tremendous weight gain...meaning; she went to great lengths to lose it, has enough money to have personal trainers, a chef, and a pit crew of image consultants, yet still got so big she had to hide it behind a cow (muumuu) outfit.

In the end, I love the AI thread. It's one of but a few islands of unbridaled thought here on AVS where we all can go pretty much as wild as we want (within reason). Strong personalities abound, and arguments ensue. Ludicrous statements can be made and challenged at will. All this, in many ways, is even more entertaining than the show itself. :D

Hey, we can't all be Paula Abdul. ;)

I'm just as guilty as the next guy when it comes to being mean. Quite honestly, about 1/2 of my mean-spirited posts are simply to see if I can get a rise out of people...which it usually does. Sometimes it's fun to argue just for the sake of argument, and it keeps the thread going and growing. :)

Another 1/4 are just to even the playing field against those that literally idolize these no-name wannabe singers. (That's not meant as mean spirited, as they all truly ARE wannabe professionals at this point in their young careers and hardly anyone knew their names before the season began.)

The last 1/4 of the nasty posts are because I truly don't like personality aspects of the person. I typically try not to attack physical characteristics, unless it simply strikes me as weird, as in Clarkson's tremendous weight gain...meaning; she went to great lengths to lose it, has enough money to have personal trainers, a chef, and a pit crew of image consultants, yet still got so big she had to hide it behind a cow (muumuu) outfit.

In the end, I love the AI thread. It's one of but a few islands of unbridaled thought here on AVS where we all can go pretty much as wild as we want (within reason). Strong personalities abound, and arguments ensue. Ludicrous statements can be made and challenged at will. All this, in many ways, is even more entertaining than the show itself. :D
First, my snarky remark about personal attacks on AI’s performers was not directed at you. Second, I, too, have had a lot of fun with this thread, which, like Seinfeld, is very entertaining even if it is about nothing. :)

This is true. AI’s results are governed by a mostly quite young cohort of voters, so it should come as no surprise that the young and pretty often prevail over others with vastly superior musical talent but who are neither as young nor as pretty.

So greens outnumber grays? That's what I would have thought. So, more boys or girls?

I'd have to imagine its more girls than guys voting, but obviously I could just be a complete fool. The majority of guys I know who watch AI are guilted into watching it by their significant others and/or don't admit to watching it. Any other ideas?

Gotta agreee with Spyder ... I was ticked that Melinda lost, yet I never bothered to vote for her. No doubt truth to the demographic point of view ... Melinda's fans were probably a) less likely to vote, and b) even if the did, wouldn't have voted 100 times.

I listened to the radio interview Melinda did with Ryan Seacrest yesterday ... she comes across great, quite sincere, and very happy for Jordin and Blake. Most interesting is, she says she really did not enjoy the process (altho thankful for the doors it's opened)... made her very nervous, and now she's happy to sing for the sake of singing, and not being judged.

Gotta agreee with Spyder ... I was ticked that Melinda lost, yet I never bothered to vote for her. No doubt truth to the demographic point of view ... Melinda's fans were probably a) less likely to vote, and b) even if the did, wouldn't have voted 100 times.

I listened to the radio interview Melinda did with Ryan Seacrest yesterday ... she comes across great, quite sincere, and very happy for Jordin and Blake. Most interesting is, she says she really did not enjoy the process (altho thankful for the doors it's opened)... made her very nervous, and now she's happy to sing for the sake of singing, and not being judged.
I'd lay money on the theory that 90% of the Idols don't really enjoy many facets of the competition, other than the obvious benefit of exposure. Much of your life is constantly in view of the public's eye...not only the present, but also your past. As we see even within the confines of "well-mannered" forums like AVS, every physical detail of your person is nit-picked at as well. It's no surprise that Elliot would get his teeth fixed or Underwood would go overboard on the weight loss after heaven-knows-what is said on other forums full of unmonitored and "unmoderatored" teens full of jealousy, hormones, and angst.

My gf and I loved Maroon 5's performance.That explains a lot. I've reported a few of his posts, but to no effect.Aren't you the one who once said that a thin skin won't get you anywhere here?

You know, it can't go both ways.....the people on AI want to be stars, I laugh when someone says "I am a Melinda fan"....uh Melinda didn't even exist 3 mos ago, and now you are a fan?

My point of view is this, the final 12 or 10 or whatever number goes on that chessy tour, are going to make some pretty good cash, singing. They have become public personalities and fair or not, they are now "Open Season", for critics and fans alike. Look at Blake's transition, he went from some dude in jeans beatboxing (which I find very annoying), and now each week he has different hair, I believe last week he wore mascara, his clothes are all over the place.....my point is, he is not a star yet, and chances are he never will be (about 8 AI winners and contestants could really be called stars, and thats out of how many total? it is not a slam dunk to be a star even if they make the final)....so I guess my point is, if you want to be a celebrity, than you have to take the good with the bad....thats the way it works.

You know, it can't go both ways.....the people on AI want to be stars, I laugh when someone says "I am a Melinda fan"....uh Melinda didn't even exist 3 mos ago, and now you are a fan?


I don't disagree that they have to take the good with the bad ... but can't for the life of me understand what you mean by the statement above. Why can't I be a Melinda fan ... of course I didn't even know she existed 3 months ago, but after watching her on AI for 10+ weeks, I'm definitely a "fan."

Doesn't matter to me if people on the internet want to compare her to Shrek, complain about her short neck, her humility, or anything else. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

That explains a lot.
Aren't you the one who once said that a thin skin won't get you anywhere here?
Yup.

Criticizing someone's argument is one thing, but repeatedly throwing personal insults at people is just lame and, IMO, doesn't belong on these forums.

I'd lay money on the theory that 90% of the Idols don't really enjoy many facets of the competition, other than the obvious benefit of exposure. Much of your life is constantly in view of the public's eye...not only the present, but also your past. As we see even within the confines of "well-mannered" forums like AVS, every physical detail of your person is nit-picked at as well. It's no surprise that Elliot would get his teeth fixed or Underwood would go overboard on the weight loss after heaven-knows-what is said on other forums full of unmonitored and "unmoderatored" teens full of jealousy, hormones, and angst.Nice to see that there's a sensitive side to the old Spyderman. I don't want to be harsh, but you know that you and your alter-personae have been greviously guilty of the sins you've mentioned above.

if Blake wins this show will have had two straight winners who won mainly on a gimmick......(Taylor hair and `dancing', Blake `beatbox')

thoughts?

My gf and I loved Maroon 5's performance.speaking of bad singers...100% nasal.

singing? :rolleyes:

Nice to see that there's a sensitive side to the old Spyderman. I don't want to be harsh, but you know that you and your alter-personae have been greviously guilty of the sins you've mentioned above.
Please refer to post #4684 :)

btw...Maroon 5 sounded much better on SNL last night than they did AI.

if Blake wins this show will have had two straight winners who won mainly on a gimmick......(Taylor hair and `dancing', Blake `beatbox')

thoughts?
I'm hoping he does just to piss off all of the Jordin fans. :p

People keep saying AI isn't purely a singing contest, so if that's the case then Blake should win it.

Please refer to post #4684 :)
There is always a reason for bad behavior. Doesn't excuse it.

I enjoy Blake's entertainment value, but I thought his singing was not really that great. That is, I mean, until I heard Maroon 5 on the show. I think Blake is a much better singer than Adam (whoever), the lead singer for Maroon 5. I think Blake could perform that song much better than him.

So, I guess, I could see Blake recording those types of songs -- throwing in some of his "special effects" as well. I don't really think, however, that Simon is hot on idea of having Blake as the winner and having to promote and record him.

This is how I see it:

Pure vocal ability: Jordin
Appearance: Even
Style: Blake
Entertainment Value: Blake
Recordability: Even
Star Potential: Even

For me, Blake's style is more inline with my music tastes. I would buy songs or albums from Blake. I don't think I would buy anything with Jordin. So, from purely a selfish perspective, I would like Blake to win.

Hey, we can't all be Paula Abdul. ;)

. . . Quite honestly, about 1/2 of my mean-spirited posts are simply to see if I can get a rise out of people...which it usually does. Sometimes it's fun to argue just for the sake of argument, and it keeps the thread going and growing . . .

. :D

That is one of the best definitions of a "troll."

I don't disagree that they have to take the good with the bad ... but can't for the life of me understand what you mean by the statement above. Why can't I be a Melinda fan ... of course I didn't even know she existed 3 months ago, but after watching her on AI for 10+ weeks, I'm definitely a "fan."

Doesn't matter to me if people on the internet want to compare her to Shrek, complain about her short neck, her humility, or anything else. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

I am not going to be a fan of anybody, until they give me reason....singing once a week on what is basically "Star Search" on steroids, ain't going to do it....if it works for you, then go at it.....doesn't mean I have to understand.

For the record I never complained about her short neck.....only made mention of it (a few times)

There is always a reason for bad behavior. Doesn't excuse it.
I wasn't looking for nor citing an excuse. There are others much meaner than I that don't seem to get stalked or have personal attacks waged against them either. What amazes me is that many in this thread will tolerate the incessantly horny and downright lewd, or even those that rage on and on about the uncontrollable genetic makeup of the idols, but get their panties in a wad over the slightest remark about the abhorrent behavior of the less than admirable contestants. :confused:

That is one of the best definitions of a "troll."
LOL! Maybe, but I'm certainly not the only one. Anyone that's ever made anything but positive comments about any of the contestants falls in to this category. Hell, we had people here convinced that Sanjaya could actually sing! :eek: If you've never, ever, ever made a negative comment, then you're simply a Paula Abdul wannabe and your credibility is worthless. ;)

LOL! Maybe, but I'm certainly not the only one. Anyone that's ever made anything but positive comments about any of the contestants falls in to this category. Hell, we had people here convinced that Sanjaya could actually sing! :eek: If you've never, ever, ever made a negative comment, then you're simply a Paula Abdul wannabe and your credibility is worthless. ;)

It's not about making "negative" comments. It's about making them for the sole purpose of bating others into a verbal war. It has to do with "intent". Honest negative remarks which state sincere opinion is different than doing it to "get a rise out of people" and "for the sake of argument". The latter is a a troll.

Usually a troll is easy to spot because the negative remarks are unusually harsh and they continue or escalate when others respond. The amount of negativity is unrealistically high or illogical. Most forums ban trolls or ask members not to reply to obvious attempts to "get a rise out of people".

But I AM replying to you. Hmm... :rolleyes:

hmmm... I don't see any of the regulars who've been posting here as trolls. Everybody has different opinions on the singers (and the show) - that's what makes it interesting. And, some of the folks who do the classic reviews each week do so with a bit of egging on by the rest of us.

Love, Paula :)

So tomorrow night they sing three songs again right? One song they have performed previously; a new song of their own choosing; and the winning song from this season's songwriting competition.

Man, theres no way I can see myself listening to an album of Blake's music...the beat boxing drives me nuts sometimes. I'm not sure Jordin will be much better, but I'd at least give her a chance.

Hey, man, I know you're just trying to be funny. But it ain't working. Insult humor is only funny when it's really, hilariously funny. Otherwise it comes across as mean-spirited, low class, and somebody working through his own issues.

Actually I didn't think the 50 foot woman post was in horrible taste, just not funny.

Nasal humor is type of humor too, you know.

Isnt this the "definition of a troll"? - Someone who doesn't agree with me.

Well here is an "Honest negative remarks which state sincere opinion". I think Blake is a pervert. And that's my honest opinion. You got a 25 year old dude looking into the camera mentally undressing the person on the other side of the camera. Exactly who is he aiming those cow eyes at? He doesn't know who 90% of those are? Sure he does. 5 to 12 year olds and he knows it. And in front of 30 million people. That's sick.

Now report me. Because that certainly isn't your opionion.
No interest in reporting you -- not sure what that might be for, but am curious as the opinions expressed (or "opionions" as Doug Heffernan might spell it too).

Not sure where you get "mentally undressing" -- I have heard that term applied to someone who is looking at another person, but a bit of a stretch to suggest that someone is looking into a lens at nothing human whatsoever, then mentally undressing that.

If you had said "Blake is surely aware of his likely fan base and/or voting block and seems to be consciously manipulating his appeal to them with seductive manner and conduct," I would say "what could be more obvious?" Yet somehow you feel as if not only does everyone else miss that, but would not agree.

The way you phrased it, you have Blake as the idolizer (which he may be -- who is to say?), but I think it is much safer to assume he is manipulating those that idolize him. Are these people young girls? Many, I'm sure. Is there anything wrong with encouraging, shaping, conciously eliciting a targeted sexual appeal to adolescents? If there is, you might consider moving to a different country since American media and society in general is built on this foundation. In fact the many mothers and fathers that make Idol a family viewing experience are conciously doing just that, and if you could hear Dad's thoughts projected on 5 year old daughter, they might look like: here is a clean-cut good looking enterprising young lad, build your sexual desires on this foundation and I will worry much less about you in the years to come.

I hope it is apparent that that is mainstream America, but to call that process perverted, well, just sounds to me like someone has some major unresolved issues with sexuality.

That is one of the best definitions of a "troll."

I thought I was the troll. :eek:
I'll just have to try harder. :cool:

No interest in reporting you -- not sure what that might be for, but am curious as the opinions expressed (or "opionions" as Doug Heffernan might spell it too).

Not sure where you get "mentally undressing" -- I have heard that term applied to someone who is looking at another person, but a bit of a stretch to suggest that someone is looking into a lens at nothing human whatsoever, then mentally undressing that.

If you had said "Blake is surely aware of his likely fan base and/or voting block and seems to be consciously manipulating his appeal to them with seductive manner and conduct," I would say "what could be more obvious?" Yet somehow you feel as if not only does everyone else miss that, but would not agree.

The way you phrased it, you have Blake as the idolizer (which he may be -- who is to say?), but I think it is much safer to assume he is manipulating those that idolize him. Are these people young girls? Many, I'm sure. Is there anything wrong with encouraging, shaping, conciously eliciting a targeted sexual appeal to adolescents? If there is, you might consider moving to a different country since American media and society in general is built on this foundation. In fact the many mothers and fathers that make Idol a family viewing experience are conciously doing just that, and if you could hear Dad's thoughts projected on 5 year old daughter, they might look like: here is a clean-cut good looking enterprising young lad, build your sexual desires on this foundation and I will worry much less about you in the years to come.

I hope it is apparent that that is mainstream America, but to call that process perverted, well, just sounds to me like someone has some major unresolved issues with sexuality.


Let see... Blake's the one making google eyes at 9 year olds, but I'm the one with a "major unresolved sexual issue".
Now there's a backward psychological conclusion in the true spirit of America!

I thought I was the troll. :eek:
I'll just have to try harder. :cool:

No, I'm Spartacus.

Yes, Blake makes expressions calculated to manipulate his audience. Melinda did that. Will Blake's audience be influenced, inspired, won over by his doing that? I think so. Is that his job on American Idol, the most popular show in the history of the US? Is he doing what he is expected to by vast numbers of the American public? But you would imply that is perverted and that Blake is pervert -- yes, seems as if it is not related to your given premise, but unresolved personal issues.

Is there anything wrong with encouraging, shaping, conciously eliciting a targeted sexual appeal to adolescents?

Straight from the NAMBLA website.

Let see... Blake's the one making google eyes at 9 year olds, but I'm the one with a "major unresolved sexual issue".
Now there's a backward psychological conclusion in the true spirit of America!
Interesting that you note a backward psychological conclusion, since it appears you have done just that. You have pointed out that Blake seems to be suggesting by his expressions and manner that he is a worthy object of idolization, longing, perhaps envy or sexual desire, then you go from his setting himself up to be in that position, to now concluding that HE has sexual longing for all the women and/or girls who respond to that -- I might myself call that a backward conclusion.

No, I'm Spartacus.

But I've been known to actually teach troll classes on other sites. How can I not be the troll? It's just not fair I tells'ya.

By the way, Go Jordin!!!!
Blake is a flake.

But I've been known to actually teach troll classes on other sites. How can I not be the troll? It's just not fair I tells'ya.

By the way, Go Jordin!!!!
Blake is a flake.

I will be sure to sign up for your next class.

I will be sure to sign up for your next class.

Be sure to sign up soon. My classes have become very popular and fill up fast.

Straight from the NAMBLA website.
Goodness, someone does seem somewhat abnormally preoccupied with pervert passions.

I said:
"Is there anything wrong with encouraging, shaping, conciously eliciting a targeted sexual appeal to adolescents?"

Now it becomes clear you think this is a very sordid business. Better tell Mom when she asks very young daughter "Don't you think Blake is a nice boy?" Or how about Dad when he asks his 8 year old, with a knowing wisdom and not a hint of shame, "So you think one day you might like to marry a guy like Blake, huh?"

Not to mention the whole N Synch/Backstreet Boys publicity machine, Tiger Beat, Seventeen magazine, the cell phone industry, American TV in general, American society as a whole.

Sorry if you had not noticed, but American society is built on a premise of eliciting and directing sexual attractiveness -- it is the main motivator for all productive human behavior, just as it is in the animal world. The barrage begins at birth.

Goodness, someone does seem somewhat abnormally preoccupied with pervert passions.

I said:
"Is there anything wrong with encouraging, shaping, conciously eliciting a targeted sexual appeal to adolescents?"

Now it becomes clear you think this is a very sordid business. Better tell Mom when she asks very young daughter "Don't you think Blake is a nice boy?" Or how about Dad when he asks his 8 year old, with a knowing wisdom and not a hint of shame, "So you think one day you might like to marry a guy like Blake, huh?"

Not to mention the whole N Synch/Backstreet Boys publicity machine, Tiger Beat, Seventeen magazine, the cell phone industry, American TV in general, American society as a whole.

Sorry if you had not noticed, but American society is built on a premise of eliciting and directing sexual attractiveness -- it is the main motivator for all productive human behavior, just as it is in the animal world. The barrage begins at birth.

Try as you might. I am not going out with you.

Could ya'll please take this trolling to another thread? I don't care who is/isn't/looks like/can spell/teaches/bangs a troll.

Got anything to add about who you think will win?

Try as you might. I am not going out with you.
Ah! This finally does cast the proper light on your posts.....never mind, I concede, I got suckered.

Ah! This finally does cast the proper light on your posts.....never mind, I concede, I got suckered.

Your comments and posts are a big reason I don't post much anymore. Can we stick to the topic? Obviously you have some sort of sexual issues to keep calling attention to other posters.

Go Jordin!!!!

Got anything to add about who you think will win?
I'd say probably Blake. If I had a choice of going to a concert, I would much rather see him than any of the other remaining 10. I'm not judging this based on his vocal ability, but he makes each song more "fun" to listen to.

But then again it could be Jordin because she has a better voice than Blake. But if that were the case then Melinda woulda won.

So I don't know. I'm putting my money on Blake.

Could be a close one. I would expect that both Blake and Jorin appeal to the younger crowds. I prefer Jordin's voice to Blake, but I do think Blake has a certain talent to him. I don't see him being a huge seller, but I do see him working as a producer or something for Hip Hop music. I think he has a niche for some of the things he can do with older and current songs. I'm just glad we aren't wondering if Blake or Jordin will beat out Sanjaya.

Could be a close one. I would expect that both Blake and Jorin appeal to the younger crowds. I prefer Jordin's voice to Blake, but I do think Blake has a certain talent to him. I don't see him being a huge seller, but I do see him working as a producer or something for Hip Hop music. I think he has a niche for some of the things he can do with older and current songs. I'm just glad we aren't wondering if Blake or Jordin will beat out Sanjaya.


Agreed. Unfortunately Sanjaya will probably be the biggest draw on the post season tour, and theres a decent chance he could sell more records than the eventually winner.

4729? I think it'll make it to 5000 before the all the dirt settles. Go Sanjaya - far away please

It's not about making "negative" comments. It's about making them for the sole purpose of bating others into a verbal war. It has to do with "intent". Honest negative remarks which state sincere opinion is different than doing it to "get a rise out of people" and "for the sake of argument". The latter is a a troll.

Usually a troll is easy to spot because the negative remarks are unusually harsh and they continue or escalate when others respond. The amount of negativity is unrealistically high or illogical. Most forums ban trolls or ask members not to reply to obvious attempts to "get a rise out of people".

But I AM replying to you. Hmm... :rolleyes:
Let's be serious about this for a moment. Sure, in someone's version of an ideal world, the worst comment anyone here would post would be something akin to "I don't care for XXXXX. Their singing style isn't my preferred choice or taste." And that would be it, nothing more...and everyone would be soooooo happy.

Or not. It would make for a very boring thread.

There are some here that act as though I'm the only person that's ever made a derogatory comment in the history of the world. How many comments about Melinda's neck? How many about Jordin's size? How many about Blake's mouth? How many about Lakisha's weight? How many about Phil's head? How many about...? Or, on the other end of the spectrum, how many lewd ones about Haley or Barba?

If people are being honest with themselves, stating that they never say anything remotely troll-like or that would possibly feed the flames of debate, I suggest they look into the mirror a bit closer.

Personally, I think Sanjaya is a mess -- both vocally and in appearance. Ugh. Personally, I don't see what people see in him -- from either gender.

I'm not a big fan of Blake. I thought he was original at first but have found his "originality" to always be the "same originality." It got old for me. But I do see why others may like him, especially the young pink cell phone crowd.
I really enjoy the sparks from Sparks. Maybe it's her innocents. Maybe cause she's cute and I'm a guy. But there it is. I like Jordin and hope she wins.
If Blake wins, I will be disapointed, a little. Just a little. The show is fun to watch and talk about. It's not my life.

Your comments and posts are a big reason I don't post much anymore. Can we stick to the topic? Obviously you have some sort of sexual issues to keep calling attention to other posters.

Go Jordin!!!!
I have not requested anyone stop posting, so if someone opts for that choice, this seems unrelated to anything I would wish, but feel free to follow your whims of course.

Another poster had said he felt Blake was a pervert (of a sexual kind)-- I challenge that and you challenge me. Can we assume you share the viewpoint that Blake is pervert?

In any event, such discussion only draws attention to the most obvious element in any popularity contest, that of the sexual attractiveness factor. The music industry is built on it. This show is built on it. It is merely the most apparent on-topic theme to any analysis of what is going on here.

But I see that you have added the very illuminating "Go Jordin!!!!" My, that does inspire discussion, it is so so very fascinating -- what could I have been thinking?

I have not requested anyone stop posting, so if someone opts for that choice, this seems unrelated to anything I would wish, but feel free to follow your whims of course.

Another poster had said he felt Blake was a pervert (of a sexual kind)-- I challenge that and you challenge me. Can we assume you share the viewpoint that Blake is pervert?

In any event, such discussion only draws attention to the most obvious element in any popularity contest, that of the sexual attractiveness factor. The music industry is built on it. This show is built on it. It is merely the most apparent on-topic theme to any analysis of what is going on here.

But I see that you have added the very illuminating "Go Jordin!!!!" My, that does inspire discussion, it is so so very fascinating -- what could I have been thinking?

blah blah blah blah.

I think I added more in a following post. "Go Jordin" should sum it up on who I want to win. If not, I'll explain. "I prefer that Jordin win this competition. I feel her voice is superior to Blake, but also feel she has a more likeable personality than Blake, at least that has been shown on air." As far as any sexual perversions, I really don't care. I was calling this out because you took the time to post several messages on another poster's comments. I prefer to overlook such posts. I would have overlooked yours, but you seem to rub me the wrong way. Uh oh...did I say Rub Me? Get ready for 50 more posts from Emaych regarding my sexual perversion relating to him.

blah blah blah blah.

you seem to rub me the wrong way. Uh oh...did I say Rub Me? Get ready for 50 more posts from Emaych regarding my sexual perversion relating to him.

Eeeeeyyyyyuuuuuuwwwwaaaaa........ :eek:

Eeeeeyyyyyuuuuuuwwwwaaaaa........ :eek:

I'm not going to say who I'm rooting for, but I hope the 50 foot woman picks up Max and squishes the beat-boxing guts out of him. Between the th-th-th-umb and the index f-f-f-finger and sq-q-que-e-e-e-e-ze.

Well stated tonybradley.

I do admit to finding the topics of psychology, human interpersonal politics, and yes, sexuality, much more encompassing, fascinating and diverse than whether Jordin wins or Blake -- in fact I have very little involvement with either, don't feel as if I know them -- certainly not to the point of making the most heinous pronouncements about them.

To me, the show is a sounding board on America and humanity in general. I would submit that is why it has captivated America, NOT because people must hear Blake or Jordin.

Just look at the sales figures either will generate. Compare that to the voting numbers. If you don't think something else is afoot here other than "I must hear Blake/Jordin sing," then obviously my comments would not find a natural and easy reception with you.

Well stated tonybradley.

I do admit to finding the topics of psychology, human interpersonal politics, and yes, sexuality, much more encompassing, fascinating and diverse than whether Jordin wins or Blake -- in fact I have very little involvement with either, don't feel as if I know them -- certainly not to the point of making the most heinous pronouncements about them.

To me, the show is a sounding board on America and humanity in general. I would submit that is why it has captivated America, NOT because people must hear Blake or Jordin.

Just look at the sales figures either will generate. Compare that to the voting numbers. If you don't think something else is afoot here other than "I must hear Blake/Jordin sing," then obviously my comments would not find a natural and easy reception with you.

OMG....a first for everything. I do agree with what you wrote. This can be seen with Tailor Hicks. He was the "American Idol", yet his record Sells sure don't show it. So, yes, you are correct, there is more going on than just who someone likes per their voice.

Can you feel the love in this room?

I think I'm getting aroused.

"American Idol & Human Sexuality". Never saw the link before. This could easily be a college course. A course I would only take if it was taught by a woman. ;)

Did you guys hear that Paula broke her nose? They claim she tripped while walking the dogs, but my guess would be she slammed her face into the table trying to reach the coke line ;) Interested to see if she's all bandaged up tonight.

Come on now. The link between the pop music industry OR ANY COMMODITY AVAILABLE IN AMERICA and sex is not just about the most apparent link that comes to mind?

I'm not buying that, but speaking of buying things, ever hear the expression "sex sells"? You won't need me to run down everything being sold with that linkage built into the advertising -- one of the most crass and obvious is two sports commentators perched at their broadcast desks at a bar -- grey-bearded man approaches pretty lady -- the two commentators are giving the play-by-play -- OH NO! He is shot down -- minutes later with beard die masking his forlorn and decrepit condition, she wants him badly.

Well, in this case, music is the showcase, but we buy into the presentation, or if we don't, no sale. To be sexy, the guys only need demonstrate confidence and ability to make money -- the girls better hope they look good, or at least can be fixed up a little by the Idol makers.

Honestly, to pretend not to see the obvious is a little silly, I guess such posts are put forth purely for amusement purposes.

............... Interested to see if she's all bandaged up tonight.

Maybe she'll wear a top so low that nobody will even notice her nose :D :D :D

The TV Column
At Finale Time, 'Idol' Strains to Hit a High Note
By Lisa de Moraes Washington Post Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Does the future of the Fox network's ratings juggernaut hang on tonight's performances of a hyperactive fashion victim and a perky teenage girl with a deep, abiding love of the word "amazing"?

Fox's "American Idol" finalists Blake Lewis and Jordin Sparks will perform three songs apiece; each is required to take a whack at the traditional treacly life-affirming ballad written especially for the finale and which will be the first single cut by whichever of the two lucky Idolettes comes out on top.

Tomorrow night, in a two-hour orgy of product placement and hyperventilation, the singer who snared the most votes from viewers will be crowned the sixth "American Idol," ending a season that opened with a whopping 38.1 million viewers -- the franchise's biggest audience ever -- but that seemed to lose its way, and its ratings momentum, mid-cycle.

For Fox execs and competitors, the real drama will begin the morning after, when the Nielsen numbers come in. If the finale stats are down from last season, it will signal the start of navel-gazing at all the networks as to whether this year's uninspiring cast of competitors is to blame or, as the other networks hope, it's symptomatic of the show's decline.

For three consecutive seasons (including this one), "American Idol" has single-handedly dragged Fox from the ratings cellar -- to which it falls every fourth quarter -- to No. 1 among the four major broadcast networks with viewers ages 18-49, who are the currency of the broadcast television business (because advertisers pay a premium to reach them).

From January through May, for 19 weeks each TV season, "Idol" dwarfs its time-slot competition on Tuesday's performance night and again the next night with the voting results show.

Every January, Fox suits manage expectations, telling the press they think the coming year might be the one in which "Idol" doesn't match the previous season's performance. And the morning of the third Wednesday each January -- the morning after "Idol" debuts -- Fox execs are as surprised as the rest of the industry that "Idol" has come back stronger than ever.

This season looked to be more of the same when the season debut clocked "Idol's" record audience. But in mid-March the ratings dipped. Tuesday's performance show is down slightly compared with last season; Wednesday's results show is up, minimally -- which could be attributed to Fox's decision to expand that 9 p.m. broadcast from a half-hour to one hour. (The number of homes using television is noticeably higher from 9:30 to 10 p.m. than it is from 9 to 9:30 p.m.)

But even staunch fans acknowledge that this season, "Idol" is off. They point to the uninspiring crop of jaded Idolettes, whose stated goal in interviews was not to win the competition but to make it to the top 10, securing a place in the summer's "American Idol" tour.

As if to illustrate that point, early in this year's competition, third-edition evictee Jennifer Hudson won an Academy Award for her performance in "Dreamgirls," while the career of that edition's winner, Fantasia Barrino, has sputtered. "Idol" judge Simon Cowell, who dismissed Hudson during her time on the competition, lost a spitting match with her that started when, during her Oscar campaign, she referred to her time on the singing competition as just one "steppingstone" in her career. Cowell snapped that she never would have even been cast in the flick had she not appeared on "Idol," to which she responded that she also would not have landed the role had she been a hit with her previous job at Burger King and did Cowell think she should have thanked the fast-food chain, as well.

About that time, Chris Daughtry, last season's third runner-up, released an album that outsold "Idol" winner Taylor Hicks's by a margin of 3 to 1, again demonstrating that winning "Idol" is not only not everything, it's sometimes not as good as losing.

Critics of this season also point to the eczema of product placement that broke out this year. Wednesday's results show got so bloated with Ford Music Videos, footage of Idolettes going to sneak peeks of new flicks about to open nationwide and pop singers pitching their new CDs or upcoming tours that even cheerleader/show host Ryan Seacrest began snipping about it during the broadcast. One week, when the results show was still a half-hour, the Idolettes got only five minutes of that airtime, while more than 20 minutes was devoted to pitching this and that.

More than 31.8 million viewers will have to watch tonight's final performance broadcast, and more than 36.4 million viewers tomorrow's finale, to keep Fox's competitors from spreading the word that "American Idol" has seen its best days and is starting the ratings slide to which all reality series -- notorious for having the most fickle viewers -- eventually succumb.

It's a tall order, given that last Tuesday, the penultimate performance show of this round of "Idol" averaged about 4 million fewer viewers than the same Tuesday last season. Last Wednesday's results show snagged only 400,000 viewers more than the penultimate results show in May of '06.

Still, Fox execs are optimistic that this year's finale could beat last year's, when an average of 37 million viewers watched Hicks win the competition -- 21 percent more than the Season 4 finale, when Carrie Underwood emerged victorious.

"Season 5 was the season to emulate, and we knew that going into this season it would be hard to match," Fox reality-programming chief Mike Darnell told The TV Column in a phone interview. "This is a better season than [No.] 3 and as good as 4. It only pales slightly compared to 5 -- as do all the other seasons."

Talentwise, Darnell said, "this is going to be one of our better finales."

What Season 5 had, he says, was not just good singing talent, but diversity of characters. That included rocker Daughtry, Elliott Yamin, pretty Katharine McPhee and good ol' boy Hicks. "It had a lot of different characters and everybody had someone they could connect with.

"Year 5 had the best characters we've ever had."

Even those most hoping "Idol" has slipped acknowledge they won't really know until next January -- one of the reasons the other networks once again this May announced new prime-time slates that circumvent the singing competition's time slots. And most are betting "Idol" has several more seasons of gigantic ratings ahead of it (Cowell said in an interview yesterday with celebrity suck-up show "Extra" that he saw himself judging three more seasons).

"There are very few shows that have had the same impact, very few shows that have become such a part of the culture as this show has become," Preston Beckman, Fox executive vice president, told The TV Column yesterday by phone.

"This show came along at the perfect moment in the history of this country. The first 'American Idol' debuted the summer after Sept. 11 [2001]. It's a show that at its base has given Americans control over something. Every year there's a point in the show where [the network] says [to viewers]: 'Here, you figure it out.' . . . There is something about a network giving up control of their show to the viewer that is profound. And we have been rewarded for doing that."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/21/AR2007052101804_pf.html

Nice article, thanks Fredfa.

Reassuring to see that not everyone is baffled by Idol reliance on their featured "characters" to propel the ratings, thereby promote products.

To be fair, pure sexiness per se is not always the most essential element at play, but a more generic "attractiveness" certainly is, and that is but a hairs breadth away from total surrender ( to buying the whole product line).

Paula Abdul Breaks Nose After Falling While Trying to Avoid Stepping on Her Chihuahua


Paula Abdul broke her nose over the weekend after she fell while trying to avoid stepping on her Chihuahua, her publicist said Monday.

Abdul was recovering from the mishap and will appear on "American Idol" Tuesday and its season finale Wednesday, publicist David Brokaw said.

"She's a little sore, but is doing fine," he said.

Abdul told the syndicated entertainment TV show "Extra" she tore cartilage in her nose and fractured her toe.

"I took a nasty fall ... trying not to hurt my dog. I bruised myself on my arm ... my chest, my waist all the way down to my hip. All from my little chubby Tulip," Abdul said.

The dog was not hurt, Brokaw said.

Did you guys hear that Paula broke her nose? They claim she tripped while walking the dogs, but my guess would be she slammed her face into the table trying to reach the coke line ;) Interested to see if she's all bandaged up tonight.
I heard it this morning on the way in to work... Guess she tripped while tripping :D :D
Maybe she'll wear the mask like the NBA players :o

The article didn't add that she was also drunk at the time.

I heard it this morning on the way in to work... Guess she tripped while tripping :D :D
Maybe she'll wear the mask like the NBA players :o
I personally would get a kick out of seeing her in a plexiglass iso-bubble tonight -- we all know how dangerous it can be to walk, let alone gyrate as she has been known to do -- let us just please make sure the youthful attendees are safe and even Paula herself is protected! -- The more I think about it, the more I realize I have just been blind to the dangers of judging this competition -- it could be life-threatening! (though I guess I always assumed it was going to be Simon who would succumb to his life being threatened)

The article didn't add that she was also drunk at the time.

Probably assumed it was redundant, since she's ALWAYS drunk ;)

Probably assumed it was redundant, since she's ALWAYS drunk ;)

A tuna was cought in the ocean today. It was wet at the time. :eek:

:confused: Maybe someone can tell me again that I'm the mean one here??? :rolleyes:

haha, who wants to bet she shows up nearly naked tonight to disguise her face which probably has a black eye and packed nose. Not that it will stop her from jumping and down while Blake performs.