American Idol 2007--Live Thread (Part I)

FOX ^ | 1-15-07

[Netizen]

These grandkids, when they came to visit (as little ones) would tell my wife ahe was going to "eternal hellfire" for wearing bluejeans.

Who taught them that?

[Palladin]

My dear, I know very well from where I speak. My grandkids have been raised in an ultra-extremist-Christian sect. When we had a family reunion, they came from out-of-state with their parents (leaders in this ultra-conservative sect).

I made reservations and paid in advance for their rooms at a fine hotel. The dad was enraged that I put them up at a place that had a bar. And, in his weird perspective, "un- Christian entertainment"--a dance band.

Please don't lecture me. I have been exposed to the worst in "Christianity".

Also, the Best, here at FR.

Chris Sligh's father and mother belong to the same cult as my son-in-law.

[Palladin]

Good article--great analysis. How many more "power singers" does American need, after Jennifer Hudson? I just don't know.

Lakisha's voice is beautiful and mellow. I just wish she'd stay far away from the Fantasia Screech.

Melinda's voice is cool and calming, but there are dozens like her out there in Gospel Choirs throughout America. What makes her different?

Jordin projects energy and sunshine. It is such a pleasure to watch her and listen to her. She has the "joie de vivre" that other top twelves are lacking.

Stephanie is cool, composed, and easy on the eyes. But do we need another Natalie Cole?

Gina is very contemporary, and just edgy enough without going overboard. I think she is good AI material.

Haley is the prototypical pageant singer. Not quite good enough to be the AI.

Who will go home in the week ahead? I think it will be Haley.

[Palladin]

Their father and mother!

[Netizen]

I have to ask. What's their religion? You have me totally curious now. I know there are some offshoots out there, just wondering which one! lol

[Netizen]

Who will go home in the week ahead? I think it will be Haley.

I think its going to be a guy going home first.

Earlier today I thought of a good song for Blake to do. "Hard To Handle" by the Black Crowes.

[Sue Perkick]

I'm not surprised.

Bono--pompous pretentious phony.

[Sue Perkick]

Haley, then stinkgaya.

[lightman]

. I have been exposed to the worst in "Christianity". Also, the Best, here at FR.

The Pharisees you shall always have with you...hopefully not too often at FR.

[Netizen]

I'm not surprised. Bono--pompous pretentious phony.

Yeah, I found it laughable. Then there's Borat, who makes a film about HIS misperceptions about Americans, yet wanting Americans that he has just insulted to fork out money. Thanks but no thanks BORON.

[Netizen]

Haley, then stinkgaya.

i'm kind of leaning towards Stacey or Rogers going first, but can't really say until we hear them this week.

Is this Diana Ross week? If so, any ideas what songs any of them should do?

As for the guys having a rough go, the gals last year had to deal with Rod Stewart, Elvis and Barry Manilow weeks.

Do you think that was planned? The girls would fail and a guy would win, and we know who Simon wanted to win. Now, this year, we have Diana Ross and early on in the competition. Trying to weed out a guy early?

[Netizen]

I just remembered a section from that interview I wanted to mention.

LAKISHA JONES: It's going to be a challenge for me, because I'm used to just listening to only the music that I like. I'm like [after hearing there will be a British Invasion week], I've never listened to British music in my life. I was like, black girl singing British, oh my God, hold on — how am I gonna pull that off? How am I gonna feel that? I've just got to grab it and get a good song.

I guess she has never listened to the Beatles. Possible I guess. But, won't someone explain to her that she doesn't need to sing it with a British accent? I'm beginning to be a little disappointed with her. What's to pull off? Words are words and feelings are feelings.

LAKISHA JONES: ''I Will Always Love You'' by Whitney Houston. Yes, definitely. Man, I want to do that one a cappella.

What about this? A capella? Is that a good idea? Is the song choice a good idea, regardless of it being Whitney?

I think Lakisha needs to show some versatility and doing another Whitney song in my opinion, isn't going to help, BUT, could the a capella version help?

[Sue Perkick]

Is Geldof going to be part of it too? Maybe they can do some even more obnoxious thing like "Idol Aid" or something. Ending world hunger & poverty in $5000 sunglasses & gourmet catering.

[Sue Perkick]

Diana Ross week will be brutal for most of the guys. Except for Sanjaya. He's so Michael Jacksonish he may pull that one off.

[ChocChipCookie]

Nevertheless, your post made me laugh. In absolutely everything in life there will be those who take it to an unhealthy extreme. Even here at FreeRepublic. Regardless of his upbringing, Chris is on the shy side of 30 and definitely is not married to an ultra-conservative woman. I doubt he's shocked by much.

My take on his obvious discomfort on stage is that he's just not used to it and may be self-conscious because of his weight, which we know a bit about because of his blog. When he's singing, he actually looks quite comfortable, though.

P.S. My early childhood was spent in a church that taught you would go to hell if you wore lipstick, women wore pants, or owned a TV. I know a bit about that world myself, but outgrew it when I began going to a church that taught the Bible and only the Bible and the pastor didn't add his own misinterpretations as equivalent to the Word of God.

BTW, I checked out Chris's blog but didn't see the actual name of the church that his dad pastors in Germany. Can you send me the link to that info?

[Sue Perkick]

Chris has a band so he's probably used to the stage. If he's uncomfortable with anything it may be the whole "American Idol" thing. It certainly doesn't fit in with his particular style. This was true for both Chris Daughtry & Taylor Hicks. I think some people enter more to be seen & hopefully have something good come out of it. Not necessarily to actually win. If that makes sense. I think that may be the case with Sligh. I don't really see arrogance with him but just a confidence that he knows what he's doing, knows what works for him. Real musicians are like that. God love them.

[Wolfstar]

Netizen, thank you for all the very interesting information you posted about the contestants. Reading all of that, as we go through the different genres, I'll be looking to see if:

_ Melinda can do some contemporary stuff. It's obvious she likes standards, but that music skews to a much older audience than most of the people who do the AI voting.

_ LaKisha can break out of her black church choir/black urban music comfort zone and do something more truly pop or pop/rock.

_ Blake can do anything else except white hip-hop.

_ Chris Sligh can do anything else except faux soul ballads.

_ The other black divas can separate themselves from the two front runners. Jordin has the best shot at this, but she's very young and inexperienced.

_ Chris R. builds a statue to himself and brings it on stage one night.

_ Gina can find a way to stand out as a female pop/rocker.

_ The Navy guy really is NOSFERATU.

[Sue Perkick]

LOL!

[Wolfstar]

LOL!

Grin...fun's what it's all about. :)

[Hetty_Fauxvert]

You know, it was just plain nasty of Simon to make that remark about quitting if Sanjaya wins. It's obvious that Sanjaya knows already how out of his depth he is. But what is Sanjaya supposed to do, quit the show? That looks like poor sportsmanship at least. But now on top of being miserably aware of not being up to the level of the others, and still trying to turn in some kind of halfway decent performance, he has to deal with Simon's nasty remark about him. And as others have pointed out, it's 1/3 Simon's fault that he's there at all, for passing Sanjaya through in the first place.

This is the first time that I've been seriously annoyed with Simon.