American Idol Season 12 (2013) - Page 2

I'm really not liking the fact that this MInaj is on there. She has no talent at all, but shes judging these people. The only thing she should be judging is how to look like a plastic toy.

Besides that I've never enjoyed the build up shows to the actual shows where you vote. It's really pointless to get invested, they don't show half the people they pick and even some that are good get passed. The trainwreck singers have been done, and I just don't care anymore. When they start competing is when I get semi interested.

OK, thanks.

The audition phase of this show has always been controversial. I hated it during the first few seasons but I have enjoyed it more and more as the seasons progressed. From what has been disclosed, the singers who appear on the show have been through at least two days of tryouts already. The ones that the judges see fall into two distinct categories; those that have a real shot at going far, and those that are entertaining train wrecks. The ones that get the most screen time are those that are good singers with interesting back stories. The fun part is that (with a few exceptions like those that come in chicken costumes and the like) most of the kids who are the train wrecks think they have a shot! Don't they watch the show? I would love to know the feedback they receive as they pass through the rounds leading up to seeing the judges.

The people you never see on TV are the contestants that probably make up 90% of those that try out. That is, singers who are OK but nothing special. The kids that are the better performers at the Karaoke bar in your local town, or that do the solos at your church. You can argue that the show would be better off showing more of this type of singer in the audition rounds, eliminating the train wrecks altogether. You can also argue that there should be more singing and fewer back stories. I think the producers know what they are doing. There is absolutely no way I would sit through all of the auditions listening to one mediocre singer after another.

I anticipate that someone here will declare that the Voice proves that my statement above is untrue. But I believe that the first round of the Voice is more like the final couple of performances in Hollywood Week than the Idol auditions.
Edited by Viventis - 1/26/13 at 6:05am

It is really hard to tolerate/listen to Minaj on this show. I find myself fast forwarding to much. And I actually LIKE Starships she sings. But on the show her voice just grates on me.

I really miss the simple days of Paula, Simon and Randy. The show has definitely lost something since the judge panel has gotten to be ridiculous in some ways. But id even take JLo and Tyler again over whats there now.

They need someone with some balls aside from Randy. Just someone that can be harsh when it comes to offering the precise constructive criticism or someone who doesnt quite hold back. Nicky is so Minaj is pointless...i would accept Keith, Randy and Mariah a whole hell of a lot more and i dont think 4 judges is needed at all. But man i gotta say, Mariah still gets me crankin...just something about her that is mmrawr.

There's always one in the crowd and as such I kind of enjoy Nicki Minaj. Although, my wife also finds her somewhat amusing. I don't believe I have ever heard her perform but I appreciate the diversity she brings. Heck I even took her side in the big fight... why try to pigeon hole the poor gal. You saw the same thing with other contestants where she was impressed with them beyond their singing ability.

Perhaps being less of a singer... more of a rapper?... she appreciates stage presence and the other aspects of performing. Which plays into my boredom with these shows since I care very little about the actual singing. As I repeat over the over if I want to hear a certain song I'll play it by the original artist. Rather, I want to be entertained and they put far too little focus in that direction.

I don't think she's as bad of a judge as most people are making her out to be.

I think it's worse than what they are making her out to be. I stopped watching after episode 2. Mind you, I have watched every episode, ever year right from the beginning, prior to this.... I don't like the it's about the judges, not the contestants vibe going on...

Same for me expect I stopped watching DURING episode 2.

Nicki's idiotic mugging for the camera any time Mariah speaks is horrible, but FOX plays it up by focusing the camera right on her. So instead of making it be about Mariah's opinion, which I'm interested in, we're treated to Nicki's stupid antics. I'm happy to see that America is rewarding this lowest-common-denominator approach by tuning out, giving Idol it's lowest ratings ever so far.

 

Virtually all of those complaining (especially here) don't count... as they aren't the demographics they are going after.

It's funny to say that the complaining doesn't matter when in fact it does since they're losing viewers in the demographic they desperately seek.

I saw the guy who auditioned with his young daughter and did very well. Turns out he lied about "serving" in the middle east...maybe that's why his baby hung her head and wouldn't look the judges in the eye ("Daddy's telling a fib")...

The kid that got sent through that is terminally ill was just done as a feel good moment. His voice is not developed enough to be a singer.

And what's wrong with that? Although many of us may have thought the same thing, I guess it was inevitable that some insensitive individual would actually post it. I could go into detail, but allowances in life are made all of the time for "special" situations like you described. Maybe he is part of the "Make a Wish Foundation" or maybe the producers just wanted to do something nice. Who cares? He gets to go to Hollywood where he will likely get cut anyway. Lighten up.
Edited by BoilerJim - 2/3/13 at 4:06am

Everyone realizes that this is another way for Nigel have Idol in the headlines, right? This could have easily been checked....they had plenty of time in between when the auditions were taped and when this aired to verify the story. They can either verify, or remain blissfully ignorant (Nigel) about the situation. If they don't verify and the story turns out to be true, then it's a compelling story for the show. If it's not true, well, there's your Idol headline for that week. If they do check up on the guy right away and find out it's not true, then they presumably can't air any of it. Again, this can't be a surprise to the Idol producers. They have a lot of people coming on these shows now with stories that are complete fabrications. It happened last summer on AGT. That Teo "phone prankster" tried out for the most recent The Voice, though they evidently didn't buy his elaborate story.

This episode exemplifies why I like Hollywood week better than any other part of the show. We get away from the sideshow freaks and the weirdos. The judges play a role, but it not really about them. At the end of the day it is about the struggle to standout in a crowd of talented singers. Going up in flames while the guy next to you shines is heartbreaking to see.

I did like the idea of the groups being chosen by the producers this year. It helped to cut down on the "drama" of finding a group to sing with, and in theory matched up the tones better. Having the show close out with Frankie's meltdown was a really emotional touch.

Family hour is from 7:00-:8:00 CST. American Idol, being able to chose from literally hundreds of interviews, shows an obscenity laced one at 7:01.

Come on, don't you have a designated thread for this?

Anyways, Nicki Minaj is a complete idiot. Some guy sings Whitney Houston pretty well, she says she's disgusted. 4 morons get on stage and completely forget all their words and can't even stay in tune. One guy can't remember any words at all so he just puts the mic up in the air like he wants the crowd to sing even though there's no one out there. Nicki Minaj screams in her horrendous English accent " I LOVVVVEEE THEM, THAT'S MY MOVE!!!!" All 4 go through. I think she was too busy looking in her mirror practicing which stupid face to make next for the camera to actually watch or listen to the car wreck that was happening on stage.
Edited by squeakybirnbaum - 2/6/13 at 10:55pm

I thought the Whitney Houston guy was OK at best. He seemed to be very sharp so either it hit you in the right spot or drove you crazy with how off it was. While I like the fact Idol showed up more of the group singing we did not see all of it. The producers picked the part where they forgot their lyrics, but presumably they were up there for 2-4 minutes so it is possible they could have had the most showmanship to that point.

On the final big note Nicki Minaj had her back turned covering her ears and everyone else was laughing.

I like how Nicki Minaj is trying to find entertainers over karaoke singers. Far too many of these shows to simply listen to someone sing... especially someone else's song who performs it much better since more than likely they are a much better entertainer... might be some hope we don't end up with nothing but the same endless clones again this year.

 

Even the most gifted singers can be boring. The perfect example (for me) is Diana Krall. I love to listening to her sing. Perform is a totally different story as she borders on boredom.

Edited by Charles R - 2/7/13 at 7:51am

If you think Diana Krall is a "gifted" singer try comparing this

to this

Now don't get me wrong, I enjoy a lot of Diana Krall's work, especially The Look of Love which perfectly suits her voice. But I wouldn't rank her as a "gifted" singer.

Actually, as much as I love Joni, she is probably a better example of a truly gifted singer who's performances can be considered boring.

BTW, why the hell hasn't their ever been a Joni Mitchell night on AI (or have I missed it)?

If they really wanted to challenge these singers they should throw some Joni Mitchell at them.

Dude, that's why they have light shows and smoke machines and dancers and lasers!

I could stare at Diana Krall for hours and be entertained (but that's me).

 

Did you catch her performing at the White House? She just about put everyone asleep compared to the other artists.

Edited by Charles R - 2/7/13 at 1:49pm

Good point. Beyonce says that Jay-Z cannot sing, and that she cannot rap.