(DFU report from the Kodak Theatre) Taylor Hicks favored to win 2006 American Idol

DFU at the Kodak Theatre ^ | 5-23-06 | Doug from Upland

[doug from upland]

Dateline: Hollywood, California
May 23, 2006

The Kodak Theatre crowd was treated to great entertainment this evening by the two 2006 American Idol finalists, Katherine McPhee and Taylor Hicks.

Although it would have been more enjoyable to be on the floor, the mezzanine was still okay. One of my personal highlights of the evening was that I was in the Kodak Theatre, the home of the Oscars, and the stinking anti-American leftist scumbags like Alec Baldwin and Julia Roberts were not in the building. I was a little queasy however, knowing that they had been there recently.

Judging by crowd reaction and the comments of Simon Cowell, it appears that Hicks will be the next American Idol. The best performer they have ever had on the show, Chris Daughtry, was seated with his wife Deanna in the third row.

Hicks, appearing in a purple coat, and McPhee, showing a little less cleavage that usual, each did a reprise to previous numbers for their first two performances. They finished the evening with original songs written for them for the finale. Hicks won round one, McPhee round two, and Hicks had the superior performance in the finale.

The audience was introduced to other contestants, including Daughtry, Bucky, Paris, Chicken Little(yes, they called Kevin that), Mandesa, Elliot, Kellie, Ace,(who am I missing?). When Daughtry walked in to take his seat, the crowd erupted.

Randy Jackson was the typical Randy Jackson. Paula Abdul seemed to not be drunk or on medication. Simon Cowell actually wore a jacket over his trademark T-shirt.

Near the end of the show, the guy who was working the crowd during commercial breaks came up to the mezzanine. Mrs. DFU owes me big because I requested and he called down to Daughtry to stand up and wave to the mezzanine. Again the crowd erupted when he waved to the semi-nosebleed section.

After the event, we wandered around the area where reporters were setting up for interviews. After doing some scouting, I brought Mrs. DFU to the area where the performers were going to come out to greet the press. The three judges and two finalists gave interviews.

Mrs. DFU got Jackson's autograph and several pictures (hopefully, they will be viewable and be posted tomorrow), including a shot of Hicks from about two feet away. Yep, I sat back and watched my groupie wife really enjoying herself. She can sit back some day and watch me get excited over Tom Tancredo, perhaps the only man who can save our nation, other than the guys who will launch cruise missiles at Tehran and Mexico City.

For about 15 minutes, I had the pleasure to speak with a corporate security guard who was a 20-year veteran of the LAPD. He has worked with several stars, most of whom are very difficult. Although he has not worked with Streisand, from what his friends have told him, he would turn down the job no matter how much it paid.

[NormsRevenge]

Thanks for the report and commentary.

I'm going with Taylor Hicks myself.

[Michael.SF.]

I'm trying to vote for Taylor, but still cannot get through!

[psjones]

So, how did you get tickets for the show? I am about 35 mins away from the Kodak Theatre and have wondered how one goes about getting tickets for the show.

[psjones]

I've been trying to vote for Taylor for an hour now. NOt having any luck.

[derllak]

I don't really follow AM but from the things I've heard, Taylor will win it.

[msnimje]

I have never voted for an Idol before but I have been here dialing for Taylor all night!!

[WashingtonStateRepublican]

Same here, no luck voting for Taylor. I wonder if Ryan S. meant four hours of open lines for those on the East Coast, while those on the west coast only get two hours to vote. I didn't have a chance until after 10, which would have been at the two hour mark. No "auto response" from Cingular either, which leads me to believe they really did close the lines.

At any rate, Go Taylor!

[Mike Darancette]

The Panel sure let their choice be known, I'm surprised they weren't wearing "Taylor Hicks" T-shirts.

[doug from upland]

I would suspect that every time zone gets four hours.

[RosieCotton]

I just got through here...so they must still be open.

I've never voted before and kinda feel silly jumping in now...I've been a passive viewer all season. But I want him to win!

Gotta go to bed, though. At least I can say I voted!

[doug from upland]

Ping.

Because this was the finale and quite a mega event for people around the world, I requested that the Admin Moderator leave it in News/Activism. I hope it remains there.

[WashingtonStateRepublican]

Taylor has the win for sure. As of the previous week, it was two guys who had 33% of the vote each, Katherine had 33%. Now that there is only one guy and one gal, I'm guessing that the majority of those who had previously voted for Elliot will be giving Taylor their vote. Taylor also seems to have a much wider audience appeal than Katherine. If Kelli had not previously burned out, I believe the final show would have been between her and Taylor, not Katherine.

[sageb1]

I've never watched the show, but my son contacted me 2 weeks in a row to vote for Elliot (which I did), who obviously, is no longer in the running. Jeepers. Where do I go from here? ;)

[doug from upland]

The tickets were offered to me yesterday by someone who is doing consulting work with Ford and knew that Mrs. DFU was a big fan of the show.

[Michael.SF.]

Kind of late now aren't you?

;)

[WashingtonStateRepublican]

Your right! I just tried again and had my vote for Taylor counted via land line. No Cingular response for my text vote, so I may try again here again in a bit.

[sageb1]

My son-in-law's brother won tickets and he is going. I just can't get into this. Is something wrong with me? lol!

[Mike Darancette]

but still cannot get through

Think about it, if both candidates phone lines are taking as many calls as time will allow and are constantly busy then they will both get approx. the same amount of votes (just like the last show). The one with the shortest thank you message will keep a line for the shortest amount of time thus allowing more votes to be cast for them.

[peggybac]

That is so cool you and the Mrs. got tickets. They are impossible to get, even if you work in the business. I hope the pictures turn out so you can post them.