American Idol 2006--Live Thread (Part II)

FOX ^ | 3-25-06

[PioneerDrive]

Thanks for the welcome.

This is the first season of AI that I've followed. I watched a couple of show last season but lost all interest after Linsey Cardinale was voted off. (I had the Cardinailment/Cardinillness/Cardinitis? -similar symptoms as the McPheever)

But this year I've been voting for Elliot. I would buy his cd in a heartbeat as well as Taylor's.

[grania]

Glad to hear he (ie: Taylor) is supposedly going to let it all hang out. Even if it gets him voted off I will respect him for it and he will leave with his head high.

Taylor's future is assured. I'm among the millions of fans who can't wait until he is playing the medium sized venues....the sooner the better. I'd rather hear a concert than one song he didn't even get to choose a week.

I'd LOVE to hear him do something really extreme, and add just one extra phrase...."vote for Eliot when I'm gone!"

PS: Taylor's going to do real well if he goes back to his style and drives Simon over the edge.

[Kimberly GG]

LMAO, Since I've only recently heard that song/seen the video, I head to read your post several times. I thought it was a new release and hardly the year Taylor was born, but an excellent choice!

[StrictTime]

Artists who are songwriters and musicians, like Taylor, who have a an established fan base and unique sound, are often awarded contracts and then forced to record the songs of others or come up with the standard 3 minute, radio friendly pop tune.

Your excellent comment reminds me of the Blues Traveller song "Hook":

(excerpted)...

What you’re doing to me this mtv is not for free
It’s so pc it’s killing me
So desperately I sing to thee
Of love
Sure but also rage and hate and pain and fear of self
And I can’t keep these feelings on the shelf
I’ve tried well no in fact I lied
Could be financial suicide but I’ve got too much pride inside
To hide or slide
I’ll do as I’ll decide and let it ride until I’ve died
And only then shall I abide this tide
Of catchy little tunes
Of hip three minute ditties
I wanna bust all your balloons
I wanna burn all of your cities
To the ground I’ve found
I will not mess around
Unless I play then hey
I will go on all day hear what I say
I have a prayer to pray
That’s really all this was
And when I’m feeling stuck and need a buck
I don’t rely on luck because...

The hook brings you back
I ain’t tellin’ you no lie
The hook...
On that you can rely

[StrictTime]

Paris Bennett's song for the year she was born: "Kiss" by Prince...

Bye, Paris!

[Wolfstar]

Just FYI:

Taylor Reuben Hicks, born October 6, 1976

Elliott Yamin, born July 20, 1978

Christopher Jacob Daughtry, born December 26, 1979

Katharine Hope McPhee, born March 25, 1984

Paris Giselle Bennett, born September 23, 1988

[Txsleuth]

I was listening to Mark Levin's show last night...and he ended it like he always does on Friday...by playing Ray Charles singing "America"...

And it struck me how neat it would be for AI..to have one week be patriotic songs...because even though the country singers are gone...there are so many wonderful songs that any of them could find one of fit their singing "style"...

I bet they don't have the "guts" to do it though...

[Kimberly GG]

Ha! Popper rocks! And aren't those lyrics the truth. I think its something they all go through in the beginning....one of my fav's is Jason Mraz (who released a LIVE dvd on which Popper was guest!) here's his 'ode to the industry', several years after signing his contract. I get the distinct feeling that MTV isn't exactly loved either..... from Mr. A-Z:

Wordplay

I've been all around the world
I've been a new sensation
But it doesn't really matter
In this generation
The sophomore slump is an uphill battle
And someone said that ain't my scene
'Cause they need a new song
Like a new religion
Music for the television
I can't do the long division
Someone do the math
For the record label puts me on the shelf up in the freezer
Got to find another way to live the life of leisure
So I drop my top
Mix and I mingle
Is everybody ready for the single and it goes...

Ha La La La La
Now listen closely to the verse I lay
(Ha La La La La)
It's all about the wordplay
(Ha La La La Love)
The wonderful thing it does
Because, because
I am the wizard of ooh's and ah's and fa-la-la's
Yeah the Mister A to Z
They say I'm all about the wordplay

And it's time to get ill I got your remedy
For those who don't remember me
Well let me introduce you to my style
I try to keep a jumble
And the lyrics never mumble
When the music's makin' people tongue-tied
You want a new song
Like a new religion
Music for the television
I can't do the long division
Someone do the math
For the people write me off like I'm a one-hit wonder
Gota find another way to keep from goin' under
Pull out the stops
Got your attention
I guess it's time again for me to mention
The wordplay
(excerpt)

[Senator Goldwater]

Idol dates just announced.

They'll be in DC at the MCI Center on Friday July 28th, and I'll be there with my daughters.

Which, admittedly, will make it difficult to hit on Katherine.

[Palladin]

Some of us are old enough to remember when President Truman publicly castigated a music critic for writing an unkind review of his daughter Margaret's singing performance.

Margaret later switched to writing murder mysteries.

Overprotective fathers--Oy Vey! I wonder if Daddy McPhee chaperones when Katherine is out with her 40-year-old Greek boyfriend???

[Palladin]

Oooh, txsleuth...what a great idea. Wish they would do that.

[MarMema]

From JDF website news

"American Idol Contestant Living with Type 1 Diabetes

New York, NY, April 27, 2006 — Elliott Yamin, one of the final 5 contestants on the hit show, “American Idol” (FOX) is living with type 1 diabetes. He was diagnosed at 17 and says that one of his goals in life is to educate people about the disease. Being on American Idol is helping him to do just that. He and his family have already talked about the disease on the show.

Please tune in and watch Elliott perform on Tuesday, May 2nd, at 8pm EST. All the contestants will sing, and then voting takes place at the show’s conclusion. The contestant with the least votes will get eliminated on Wednesday, the 3rd. Vote for Elliott to keep him on the show! The longer he stays on, the more awareness he will bring to the disease on one of the most watched shows in the country. And remember you can vote multiple times!

Elliott is 27 years old and hails from Richmond, Virginia."

He also happens to have a reputation for kindly behavior toward other contestants, and is a terrific singer.

[SirLinksalot]

LATEST FROM REALITY TV MAGAZINE...

---

http://www.realitytvmagazine.com/blog/2006/04/american_idol_t_4.html

American Idol: Taylor Hicks' Fans Upset By Song Changing Controversy

On the last American Idol results show, Ryan Seacrest said that Fox received lots of phone calls about the judges with viewers complaining that Simon Cowell was a bit unfair, and Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson both offered up an apology for their critical remarks about Katharine McPhee. However, several Reality TV Magazine readers have written in to express that there was another apology that should have been given. Taylor Hicks’ fans are outraged over a song-changing controversy that they perceive to be unfair treatment toward their favorite singer.

A Reality TV Magazine reader named JJ wrote in to tell us “Maybe AI doesn't want Taylor to win?? I don't know, but what happened to Taylor Hicks this week is disheartening. I'm surprised he hasn't walked off that show yet. He deserved an apology from the judges.” Another Reality TV Magazine reader named Christine wrote us with the following comments, “I've been trying to start a letter writing campaign to Ryan and American Idol, asking them to address the fairness issues. I think most of the contestants are not treated fairly and it's not just because of handpicking the most marketable individuals. It's also about drama and ratings. It's very disturbing to think about what these performers have to endure each week and I'm sure it's worse than what we've been seeing (including especially, last minute song-changes that lead to less preparation time).”

What these readers are referring to is information revealed in a radio interview by American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe. According to Nigel Lythgoe, Taylor Hicks was forced to change his song at the beginning of the week. Taylor had originally selected an Otis Redding song entitled "Try A Little Tenderness" but producers told him the song didn’t fit within the genre of classic love songs. Nigel said they examined the songs from the perspective of could they see Andrea Bocelli singing the song. Nigel said he told Taylor “that’s ok if we’re doing the Blues Brothers week but this is Andrea Bocelli week.” Taylor had to change his song to "Just Once," and he received harsh criticism from the judges over his performance.

Nigel Lythgoe’s explanation is not sitting very well with many Taylor Hicks’ fans. Many would argue that “Try A Little Tenderness” is definitely a classic love song, and the criteria that the song has to fit the style of the guest artist of the week has never been enforced previously. Chris Daughtry has been allowed to push the envelope with performances that fit his rock style even if it didn't match the theme week. In fact, Simon Cowell even praised Chris for refusing to compromise after he performed a rock rendition of “I Walk the Line” during Music of the 50s theme week, when Barry Manilow was the guest. It would take a very vivid stretch of the imagination to envision Barry Manilow singing a rock version of a Johnny Cash tune.

Not only are fans upset about this latest forced song-changing controversy, but several Taylor Hicks’ fans feel like this unfair treatment has been going on for the entire competition. A Reality TV Magazine reader named Maxine wrote in with the following analysis, “If Taylor sings then the judges say "Where is the old Taylor" - If he dances, they call it bar/cabaret - so where is the happy medium?” In an earlier article, Reality TV Magazine noted that Simon Cowells’ comments toward Taylor Hicks have been particularly vicious, even questioning if he might be drunk.

There appears to be no way that Taylor can please the judges. The truly shocking part is that Taylor Hicks is the only remaining singer who has never been in the bottom group up for elimination on the show. If the public likes Taylor Hicks, why are the judges’ comments virtually always extremely negative? Chris Daughtry gets stage smoke and guitar players, Katharine McPhee gets sexy dresses and apologies, while Taylor Hicks gets his song pulled at the last minute and accusations of intoxication. There's no doubt that Katharine McPhee and Chris Daughtry are extremely talented and deserve every bit of their success, but what concerns Taylor Hicks' fans is what appears to be unequal treatment on the show.

Could producers be afraid of a showdown between two Southern guys (Taylor Hicks & Chris Daughtry)? Do they prefer the ratings prospects of a final involving a West Coast girl (Katharine McPhee) vs. a Southern guy (Chris Daughtry)? Is the deck being stacked against Taylor Hicks? Please post your opinions in the comments section below.

[SirLinksalot]

BEWARE OF AMERICAN IDOL SCREEN SAVER SPYWARE !! ------------------------------------------------- http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,18918,00.html

Taylor Hicks "Most Dangerous" Idol
by Joal Ryan
Apr 28, 2006, 5:10 PM PT
back to story

On the American Idol stage, finalist Taylor Hicks is full of tics. Online, his screensavers are full of bugs.

So says a new survey conducted by a Web-patrolling consumer software company, which found 46 percent of popular downloaded Hicks-themed screensavers contained spyware or led to outbreaks of pop-up ads and spam email.

"At some level, he's the most dangerous American Idol," said Shane Keats, market strategist for SiteAdvisor.com.

On another level, Ace Young is the most dangerous Idol finalist.

Though eliminated from the Fox singing competition Apr. 19, Young is second only to Hicks for having his momentarily famous face used by sneaky spyware manufacturers. His screensavers turned up hidden computer-clogging extras 36 percent of the time, the SiteAdvisory.com study said.

Even more troubling to Keats, the problem Young screensavers led computers to two "sexually explicit sites." Given the number of children who follow Idol and are likely to follow their favorite Idols online, Keats said the spyware makers "should be ashamed of themselves."

The other top Idols among the spyware crowd: Bucky Covington, Kellie Pickler and Lisa Tucker. The survey said 27 percent of each of that trio's screensavers were trouble.

Like Young, Covington, Pickler and Tucker are done with their Idol runs, having failed to muster enough viewer votes. Their spyware popularity probably speaks to the weeks of run-up time it takes the "spyware guys" to make their programs, Keats said.

That said, it's probably not a coincidence that Hicks, the gray-haired "Soul Patrol" provider, and prime contender for a spot in the season finale, is the go-to face for nefarious Netizens. "The people who make spyware go to where the popularity is," Keats said.

A similar ethos exists among those who write viruses: The bigger the name, the better the chance it'll be used to lure unsuspecting fans in email subject lines. Britney Spears, Michael Jackson and Microsoft's Bill Gates are among those who have had their bold-faced monikers attached to bugs.

So far, Keats said he hasn't seen any infected Idol-related emails: "I don't think we've got the Ace Young virus going around."

As for the screensaver problem, Keats recommended computer users stick to downloading from official sites. He also plugged his own SiteAdvisor.com, which offers a free download that rates a Website on its likelihood of causing computer problems, from "safe" to "caution" to "warning."

Another option is to download a Melissa McGee screensaver--from any old place. According to the study, not one of the surveyed screensavers devoted to the 21-year-old singer from Florida proved problematic.

Guess there's something to be said for being voted off the island first.

Go to Home | News | Features | Gossip | Reviews | Celebs | Fun Stuff | On E!

[SirLinksalot]

STRICTLY FOR TAYLOR HICKS/ELLIOTT YAMIN Fans...

Interesting Background video footage of the FORD, Lost puppy dog Car-mercial showing Taylor and Elliott doing their takes.

DOWNLOAD HERE ...

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=SPJ8M2VF

Note : wait 45 seconds for video to load ( and click on the X when you see a small megaupload pop up screen on the top right )

[MarMema]

Thank you! Taylor is my second choice, btw.

[grania]

Is the deck being stacked against Taylor Hicks?

This article is a nice find. The feeling that the deck is stacked is one I've had since the top twelve began.

First of all, the overall choice of guest star coaches. Now, asking them to sing om the style of them?....that's actually counterproductive for these future singers. It's sellout stuff and the very thing a lot of us liked about the show is that it got past the compromises singers make to achieve success.

This supports my feeling that Kelli was dismantled by bad advice, particularly the last two weeks, that she tried to follow. Saying Otis Redding is not classical enough for this week is ludicrous. It's AMERICAN IDOL, stupids. And while I'm ranting, Paris doing Streisand was just dress-up week, and one of her worst...lots of jazz greats knew how to do love songs, she should stick to that.

I also did not think Gideon was given a fair break, with negative comments. And Mandisa going first, in a bad wardrobe choice.

If Simon wants Katherine or Chris, good for him. Me, I want Taylor to get up there and do Taylor, and let this show at least achieve something this year....Eliot can give hope and inspiration to millions of diabetics!

Grrrrrr......hate it when I'm right about bad stuff.

[Netizen]

And it struck me how neat it would be for AI..to have one week be patriotic songs...because even though the country singers are gone...there are so many wonderful songs that any of them could find one of fit their singing "style"...

That would be good! Songs from WWII could be nice, too. :)

[Netizen]

Margaret later switched to writing murder mysteries.

I've read a few of her books. Not bad. :)

The thing with Katharine though is preferential treatment.  If all their parents spoke up would the AI judges be out of jobs?  Would they all have to apologize?  Why didn't the show apologize for their editing hatchet job on Ace?  Or apologize to Taylor for Simon's constant remarks of drunkeness, ESPECIALLY when the one that acts drunk sits right next to him!  LMAO

[over3Owithabrain]

I'm curious about the Hollywood/Scientology connection there too w/Kat. But that's a whole 'nuther story...