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Posted on 03/24/2006 9:00:43 PM PST by silent_jonny
Idol Thoughts, May 2: Taylor vs. Simon – Let’s Get it On!
http://www.foxesonidol.com/cgi-bin/ae.pl?mode=1&article=article1888.art&page=1
by Donna Reynolds -- 05/02/2006
When he’s hot he’s smokin’, but when he’s not, he seems almost resigned to not becoming the next American Idol. But no matter what he does, Taylor Hicks doesn’t seem to be able to please Simon Cowell. What is it about Taylor that seems to bother him so much, and how can he overcome this? Donna has some ideas, so read on.
Right about now, Taylor Hicks should be sitting on top of the world. He has amassed a fanbase that rivals the Claymates in size and enthusiasm, attracted massive media attention, and had impressive interactions with all of this season’s guest artists. Ruben Studdard has endorsed him and Caroline Bice has been spotted watching the show with Taylor’s parents back home.
With all this going for him, you’d think that Taylor would be a lock for the title this year, but there’s one slight problem. Idol judge Simon Cowell seems to have a burn on for Taylor that just won’t quit. Week after week, Simon lambastes Taylor’s performances, spitting out rude comments, and one week even going so far as to wonder aloud whether Taylor was drunk. No matter what Taylor does, he doesn’t seem to be able to please Simon, and it’s beginning to become very obnoxious.
What I don’t understand is why Simon doesn’t recognize Taylor’s potential and marketability. He’s immensely popular, and that alone will translate into album sales. He’s also a good musician. I have listened to his pre-Idol music, and have no doubt that, with the right songs and producers, Taylor could do a great album that would be very well-received. I keep going back to Clay Aiken and thinking about how well he did post-Idol despite not winning. You’d think that Simon would have learned from experience that sometimes the viewers really do get it right.
Of course, Simon isn’t Taylor’s only problem. He is running into other obstacles on his journey through this year’s Idol labyrinth. Last week, in fact, Taylor’s original song choice was yanked on Monday, leaving him only a day to prepare for Tuesday’s show. In a radio interview with Television Week Editorial Director Chuck Ross, Idol Executive Producer Nigel Lythgoe said that they didn’t feel that Taylor’s original choice, “Try a Little Tenderness,” fit the theme. He said that they gauged the appropriateness of the song selections by whether the guest artist would sing them. He didn’t feel that this was a song that Andrea Bocelli would sing, and Taylor was told to pick another tune. Say what? Taylor would have totally rocked on “Try a Little Tenderness,” and certainly would not have been compared to a lounge singer by Simon. Or maybe not. It’s hard to know how Simon is going to react to Taylor on any given week.
At this point, Taylor needs to forget about Simon and go for broke. He’s got nothing to lose and everything to gain. Taylor’s best performances have come when he’s done upbeat songs and infused them with his own particular brand of soul the way he did with “Takin’ it to the Streets” and “Livin’ for the City.” Forget about the ballads. He needs the studio audience to be with him all the way through the song so that they will erupt when it is finished. Then, Simon can say whatever he wants, the audience will boo, and voters will jump on their phones.
One of Taylor’s problems has been inconsistency. I am only guessing here, but it seems to me that when he’s singing a song that was not his first (or second) choice, he doesn’t put his all into the performance. He’s got to get over this, plain and simple. This is no time for him to be a temperamental artist, and this could cost him the competition. Taylor, listen to me, you’ve got to suck it up and make it work, no matter what song you are doing.
Once Taylor’s done his thing, the Soul Patrol and everyone else who enjoyed his performance absolutely MUST vote. This is no time to get lazy. You can complain all you want about Simon and performance placement and everything else, but unless you vote, Taylor will be eliminated. It’s that simple. I hate having to do this two-hour speed dial voting nonsense, but that’s the reality of this show.
This week, the Vote for the Worst website has come out and “endorsed” Taylor as their next target. What’s interesting is that they are not saying that Taylor is the worst; there really is no “worst” one left. What they are doing is supporting him because Simon does not! The site clarifies their position saying, “Simon wants Taylor out now, because he can't stand to promote someone so unmarketable. So what do we say? Stick it to the show and vote for Taylor! He has the Soul Patrol, and now he has us, the A-hole (edited) Patrol! Hopefully we can work together to help Taylor win this thing!”
Now, I don’t put a whole lot of stock in the effectiveness of this group. After all, every one of their picks has been voted off despite their efforts. But over four million people have visited this site, and certainly, every vote helps, especially in a race that is going to be the tightest ever.
Taylor is doing something that no other contestant has ever done before, and that is, getting people who “found” their Idol in previous seasons back into the show. I have heard from a lot of my friends from previous seasons; people who were fans of Bo and George especially, and they are all saying that the only reason they are watching this year is because of Taylor. It’s rather remarkable, actually. For me, Taylor combines George’s spirit and enthusiasm with Bo’s deep musical roots, and it’s a winning combination. I look forward to his performances each week, and want to see him in the finals.
In the end, Taylor has to want this as much as his fans want it for him. It’s on him, after all. But if he can bring it every time, every week, his fans will respond, and Taylor Hicks can indeed make it to the finals. While you’re voting, think about how amazing his winning would be. Think about how he would react and imagine the look on his face and his leap for joy. Imagine the audience going mad and the other finalists’ excitement. Think about how you would feel watching the show at home. That’s what we’re talking about here, after all.
In my opinion, she won't make it to three. The article also supports Wolfstars suggestion that men voting are basing their votes on sexiness!!! 21% of the 27% men that vote, vote based on sexiness! Fortunately they don't make up the lions share of the votes.
Sorry, this is the best I can do :)
Hiya everyone. Hope I can horn in here and join you!
I'm still shaking my head in disbelief that FR has an AI thread. Best of both worlds.....I'm in Heaven!
Good luck to your favorites tonight. (Most luck to Taylor and those who love him like I do).
On behalf of Ace's Scar, I thank you :)
gasp! The "Bueller ... Bueller Edition"!
I LOVE that movie. I used to own it on VHS--watched it so much the tape nearly broke :)
Don't worry. Ace's Scar is also super-absorbent ;)
So funny, and yet so disgusting at the same time...
Elliot seems like an incredibly nice person. So does Chris. But the thing that grates on me about both is I cannot stand the vibrato in their voices. It almost sounds contrived, throaty and much faster than a natural sound.
They are huge. All the better to hold his lady with, awwwwww yeeeeaaaaahh....
Yep :) It was in Season 3, IIRC.
I don't think BJ ever met the contestants. They just showed video clips of him from an undisclosed location, commenting on each singer :)
Thanks, Buddy ;)
My sis tells me they're calling Chris the "goatman" over at VFTW.
Thanks, CB :) I am.
Oh my :)
Do you remember a skit on Mike Meyers/Dana Carvey era SNL about Happy Fun Ball? "Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball." It would be hysterical to substitute Ace's Scar for Happy Fun Ball.
LOL ...
3 May 2006
Teri Hatcher PainWatch: Scars From Seacrest, Molestation Still Linger
Just in case you missed yesterday's Oprah [Ed.note--When the purge comes, you'll be the first sacrificed for your unspeakable sin.], Teri Hatcher bravely revealed (see clip above) that her "relationship" with Ryan Seacrest ended an hour after paparazzi famously snapped a completely unstaged picture of the couple engaged in the most uncomfortable kiss in the proud history of celebrity bearddom, when he told her, "I don't think I can do this with you." Seacrest, of course, had already realized that he could get more bang for his buck by posing with some far more low-maintenance Playmates, who wouldn't demand any icky make-out sessions in return for a heterosexuality-reenforcing photo-op.
And in other Teri Hatcher news, we're sad to report that posing in her underwear on Vanity Fair's cover did not have its intended effect of completely exorcising the demons of her childhood molestation. And oh yeah--and this is completely coincidental--Hatcher's memoir is available at your favorite bookseller today.
http://www.defamer.com/hollywood/teri-hatcher/teri-hatcher-painwatch-scars-from-seacrest-molestation-still-linger-171395.php
bbl...I'm running late tonight...had to rescue my son with car problems......just cost me a new battery...lol....now I've got to get dinner for Mike...
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