American Idol 2011--Live Thread II

americanidol.com ^ | April 5, 2011

[silent_jonny]

In Memory of Bahbah and Carolinamom

[La Enchiladita]

The attacks on her got extremely ugly and I apologize to everyone for not standing up and not saying something sooner.

Thank you, retrokitten. Better late than never.

I know it’s an unpopular opinion, but I have never really cared for Scotty either. He’s gotten better throughout the season (thank God he stopped that horrible mic thing), but I just still don’t care for him.

Scotty, like Josh Turner, is simply boring. And I really love good country music. I have nothing against him as a person, but as a singer, I wouldn't seek him out. However, I know people have different tastes and he obviously has a fan base out there.

[La Enchiladita]

Il Volo is magnificent. I've known of them for a year, have a CD..

Good for you. I didn't know about them until a few days ago, and I am bowled over. They are utterly charming.

I agree with your observations about vile attacks on Haley during the season. It reminded me too much of junior high schoolers who gang up on one other girl outside their clique. And we know that, as Haley fans, we were "outsiders" on the thread.

I mean, yeah, it's okay to have a strong opinion about a particular performance, or the mannerisms of a performer, but keeping in mind this is "just a silly singing contest" and could observe some boundaries in our judgements.

I don't understand people getting pleasure out of cutting others to shreds, especially people they don't know, and much younger ones at that. Don't we remember being young...????

[b9]

I am thrilled to see America vote for two teenagers who are no doubt conservatives-in-training, good people with good values, and a heck of a lot of talent.

Perfect description.

Embarrassed to admit I'm thrilled...and stunned.

[patriotspride]

” Exerpt from live audience report last night (after show ended) :”

Thanks Timeout for sharing that link.

Always interesting to get some other perspectives on the show/contestants etc.

Bring your smelling salts and hope for the best on James/Steven....

[Netizen]

Next week is the finale already. I was looking at the first thread and how some of us had such high hopes for Casey. Short lived as they were.

Its funny how some of the contestants grew on us over time and others didn’t. In fact, some wore thin rapidly. Do you remember that you kind of liked Haley early on?! In one of your early posts, you even had her as your 3rd favorite female. But, alas, as time went on the chinks in the armor started to show.

Just posting this so that ‘some’ will see that you didn’t ALWAYS have ‘animus’ towards her.

---

To: Netizen

I was very happy about Seth Rogan, Jacob (what is his nickname?), Screamer, Lauren (nickname?), Kenny Loggins, Scott E. Neuman, Little Ricky, Pia and Thia.

I also kinda like Haley and Carmen Miranda.

I am quite biased against Miss Greencard, though she has a good voice. I don’t like her and Mamacita’s pandering for Mexican votes (possibly from Mexico — certainly over the borders they can see this show, and Mamcita was clutching a MEXCIAN flag on AMERICAN Idol).

6,733 posted on Friday, March 04, 2011 5:31:35 PM by Yaelle
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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2658855/posts?q=1&;page=6701

[Chunga]

Yesterday you were casting aspersions

You're incorrect. I was stating what I believe to be the truth about country music fans. It isn't "casting an aspersion" to state that one believes such people to be musically ignorant. I defamed no one. There was no intent to mislead anyone. I think what I stated is true.

You may think I insulted country music fans, and if you wish to take it that way I have no problem with it.

I think some country singers and country writers are great, especially the ones who write and sing real country. I think the crap they call "country music" now is pure unadulterated horse squeeze.

[grania]

re: being stunned. This year, where there was no clear front-runner, I thought the resuls were only a factor of who is watching the show, and who is voting. I, too, was somewhat stunned. I thought it would be one of the country singers who was voted out, just because not everyone likes country music.

Two interesting factors. Haley tried much harder than the other two to be the singer the judges defined. The other possible factor, people just felt that the two country singers are just nice kids, living a dream beyond their belief. They've never acted like they expect to win.

Heck, maybe the people who voted are smarter than we give them credit for.

[b9]

You may be right. Maybe folks are voting for the person/character and not so much the style (which irks the :::ahem::: purists no end.)

Whatever reason, it's downright heartening to see the majority of 90+million votes actually tending conservative.

Country music is the heart and home of conservative thinking, and it's always a surprise to find out how many (i.e. Faith Hill? Toby Keith?) are actually liberals!
Crystal Bowersox' bread is buttered by Country now. Maybe there's hope for her.

But to see two dyed-in-the-wool Country finalists is enough to make me think there's hope for America.
Like you say,
Heck, maybe the people who voted are smarter than we give them credit for.

[linn37]

“Country music fits the taste of the musically ignorant, and Hollywood doesn’t help matters by propping up middling performers.”

Calling people ignorant because they enjoy a certain type of music is insulting.

Keep spinning.;^)

[Yaelle]

It seems your animus toward Haley, someone you don’t know, will never end. How sad... for you.

I don't have personal animus toward Haley. I don't like her ways. I tend to gravitate toward the singers who really connect with the audience and their lyrics. I love honesty and genuine-ness in these singers because that is what really hits our emotions. Like in the famous song "Killing Me Softly."

You are bordering on not being very nice to me. I'm sorry we disagree, but it's OK.

[Yaelle]

Analyzing these kids' personalities on these threads reveals colossal amounts of ignorance. The projection on these threads is unreal. Most of the people here have never been in a situation remotely like the one to which these contestants have risen, and are ignorant of the toll it takes on one's emotions and psyche week after week. The spirit of charity toward these contestants is negligible.

Chunga, you are exactly the same, critiquing the singers you don't like and insulting ALL of their fans. You are not here distributing warm charitable fuzzies to each and every contestant either.

[Yaelle]

Hey, look at you doing that research! I was actually a HUGE fan of Haley and Paul with their 70s duet they did at Vegas week or Hollywood week. They both had such unusual, original tones to their voices. What did they sing? Blackbird? Something very 70s. It was a moment.

So I was watching Haley back then with high hopes.

[Yaelle]

There you go again.

Honey, regional music is in people’s blood. In other countries people swoon with nostalgia from their folk music, or even just their drumbeats. Country is America’s special unique music (not the only one - we have jazz, rock and roll, R&B, etc).

It’s ungenerous of spirit to be so harsh on what other people like to listen to. It doesn’t have to be opera or nothing.

[b9]

What a shame AI can’t have co-winners this year!

Perpetual Lauren-Scotty duets would be so nice.

[Chunga]

You are not here distributing warm charitable fuzzies to each and every contestant either.

I most certainly am. I have stated repeatedly that I hate to see any of them go. I have had good things to say about all of them. I haven't rooted for ANY of them to be voted off. EVER!

You and others, on the other hand, pretend to yourself and everyone here that you can know what these young people are like, discern their faults out of a television screen and hold these projections against them, accusing them of petulance, lack of humility and hardheadedness in the face of criticism. And you can dislike their beautiful legs and their low-cut tops when wardrobe, with whom the contestants consult constantly, offers them the best advice they can give and it is taken.

The worst thing I have ever said about a contestant is what I said about McCreery. He is a middling talent. And he reflects the tastes of a majority of Idol voters. I think he will be a major star and if he is I will be very happy for him.

It is not wrong of me that I wish America's tastes were more elevated. It isn't wrong of me to hope that Lauren wins because her level of talent blows McCreery's into the dirt. It isn't wrong of me to wish that Pia Toscano had won the whole thing, because her level of singing ability was approached only by Lauren Alaina and Jacob Lusk, and they don't really come close. And it isn't wrong of me to point out that I believe people are pulling for their favorites based on and determined by a bunch of non-musical criteria.

I am a musician. Music is important to me. I want the best to rise. America WILL NOT HAVE IT. It is reflected in this thread.

Thank you.

[grania]

re: Crystal Bowersox. I really don't see how she lost last year. I thought the guy who one was bland and not cute enough to get the teenage girl vote.

She is someone I would definitely go listen to, especially in a small venue like those in Northampton MA or the smaller stages at some of the casinos. Not only does she have a great voice, she seems to have lived enough life to have those personal experiences which make her interesting.

[grania]

As a musician, you can maybe understand the distaste some of us dinosaurs have. If I want to hear interesting music by independent artists, I'm better off at some of the smaller venues such as those in Northampton, MA. The current game is all about fitting into a game plan and selling what it's pre-dertermined that people want to hear.

I like Jennifer Hudson. She didn't win AI, but she did find her singing and personality niche. Carrie Underwood is all-country and always knew it.

Jennifer Lopez and Lady Gaga keep talking about playing a role, like it's acting and theater more than it's about singing. I was an avid John Stewart fan, going to every one of his shows I could get to. Where are the Chers, the Stevie Nix's, the Steven Tylers, the Judy Collins types, etc? I want singers who have wonderful voices and sing about personal experiences and feelings, from the heart and soul.

It seems that more and more each year, AI is trying to bend that into something that the record companies can make quick profits from. Maybe that's what people saw in the two country kids getting the nod from voters. They can sing, and they seem to know who they are.

[b9]

Crystal's recent performance on Idol made it so clear how ridiculous her loss to Lee was last year.

I love her individuality and unique sound. And like you say, she's obviously lived her lyrics.

[silent_jonny]

I would give a years pay to be a fly on the wall when Bibi the MAN meets Obammy the TWERP

LOL--you described it perfectly even before it happened! Bibi PWNED the Barry :)

[silent_jonny]

they DID use my legs as chemlights when on night ops when I was in the military ;-)

Hahaha!