Posted on 05/08/2006 4:22:13 AM PDT by silent_jonny
Oh, come on. I voted for Kat too, but comparing this with Clinton's election? A little perspective would be useful at this point.
Well, I'm not sure I can call this a West Coast Wrapup, but you know I can't refrain from spouting off a little! :)
First, SJ, thank you so much for keeping this thread going (and keeping the trolls under the bridge, where they belong). This thread has been so much innocent (well, mostly! LOL!) fun for so many people. Thank you!!!
And thank you for continuing to keep Texasflower in our hearts. I try to remember to follow her example and not be actually *mean* to any of the contestants! It's a good thing to have an example like hers to follow.
As for tonight's show ... well, call me an AI slut, but I just enjoyed all of it! And if Kat had been this relaxed, fun, and in voice when she was competing, I might have thrown some more votes her way. She kept "It's All Coming Back to Me" afloat virtually by herself, since Meatloaf was off in some other key altogether, as far as I could tell. But Kat was very good in the song. And it made me think that indeed, her future should lie in musical theater. She was far more compelling in this "story" song than in anything else I've seen her do. Looks like she's someone who needs a character to slip into to be comfortable, and there's nothing wrong with that. (Many of the great actors were terminally shy when they weren't actually acting in a role.) I really hope to see her do some good musical theater (with a director who understands the limitations of her voice). I'd pay money to see that -- the ultimate compliment!
All the Idols were in fine voice tonight! Paris was obviously on top of things -- though paired, like Kat, with a singer who seemed past his prime. Oh, well. Elliott sounded terrific! Though again, paired with a "pro" who was not very professional in the way she ignored him, and indeed, was sometimes out of tune (made obvious by Elliott's spot-on pitch -- as always). I am very happy to hear the lovely "ringing" tone back in his voice -- must have been fatigue getting to him a couple of weeks ago. And how lovely to see Elliott looking so happy and relaxed on stage! He has grown so much as a performer in just a few months. I do believe that young man has a bright future -- he'd better buy some shades. :)
Chris looked like he was having the time of his life, performing with Live! (Though I thought their lead singer was a bit of a stage hog -- what, would it have killed him to let Chris sing some more by himself?) I also enjoyed the "man show" medley -- Bucky sounded better than I've ever heard him, and even Chicken Little sang well and with confidence. (I wasn't quite as taken with the women's medley, but I think that's just because I liked the actual songs better in the men's medley.)
I'm annoyed with Burt Bacharach lately since he has decided to diss W, but it was a treat to hear his older and better songs sung so well by the young-uns. Lisa did a fine job with "Alfie" (better than any of her contest performances), and I got a kick out of Bucky singing "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head." Too funny, and he sounded good, too.
I also enjoyed the performance by Prince (or whatever he's calling himself these days) and his hootchie girls. I never paid much attention to him back in the day, and I was surprised at what a wide singing range he has, and how good he sounded. Very flexible voice.
I got a huge kick out of the cowboys! I was a little offended by AI's name for them, but it was so much fun to see them all up there on stage, having such a terrific time, and sounding pretty decent! Good for them. (I was not as taken with the Clay Aiken wannabe, though it was touching to see how thrilled he was to meet his idol. But when he opened his mouth wide to sing, it was uncomfortably reminiscent of Mama Alien from "Aliens." Yikes! Keep that thing shut, please ....)
And then, finally, the next to last song, which was also charming, to hear Kat and Taylor together, and see them both looking so good. (Memo to Kat: Wear champagne bias-cut satin more often!) And then the announcement! Wheeee! Kat carried herself like a trouper, gracious though of course disappointed, and Taylor was obviously overcome with finally realizing his dream. *I* even choked up, sitting on the couch at home! Got to hear the manufactured song again, which was just as dreadful a song the second time around, but again, Taylor made it live and breathe. (Which, I'll argue again, is the mark of a *real* entertainer -- someone who can take dreck, when necessary, and spin it into gold.)
Whew. What a season! What an evening. Had a terrific time here with all my fellow FReepers this season! Let's do it again next year! :)
Ah! Yes, that's him, I think -- the young man in the ball cap. Well, that's one more mystery explained! :)
Oh! Oh! I forgot to mention Carrie Underwood's song! I am not an immense Carrie fan, since I'm just not that into country music. But I MUST say how much that talented young lady has changed in a year! Last year, I agreed with Simon that her performances were often "robotic," and sometimes her top notes left something to be desired. But her voice has continued to mature, and her performance tonight made it obvious that all the stage time she got this year has left her a seasoned and relaxed performer in front of the multitudes. I can see why she won two awards last night! Good on her. :)
I was worried about rigging, too. But, yes, it worked out well. :)
Yes, it was. :)
I don't like Clay's new hair style though.
I was wondering what made him change his mind about appearing on Idol, too. Maybe he never intended to be on earlier but was only going to be in the finale. Was he the only guest to perform without any idols last night?
Yes, that was his step brother Sean.
I can't believe I missed the Finale!
I went to take a short nap so I wouldn't be tired...well, I wound up crashing and sleeping all night.
I apologize for not being here to give you some screen caps for the final show...you did a super job on this thread!
Have you seen the promo's for the AMERICA Has Talent spin off?
Could be FUN!
G
My husband said the same thing.
Whoa now! Ed is pretty dang good. I love Chris but don't knock Ed. He's already got the hardware to back it up. Chris will be fine.....:-)
Amen!
I thought Chris and Live was a phenominal performance. Must have been a thrill of a lifetime for Chris as they are his favorite band. Two very distinct voices from Chris and Ed. The song was a little on the "pop" side for them but pretty good. I would have paid to have seen them do "I Alone".....
American Idol - What Was Up With Toni Braxton?
http://www.realitytvmagazine.com/blog/2006/05/american_idol_w_4.html
The American Idol 5 finale proved to be one of the most star-studded American Idol finales ever. While Prince showed up as a surprise guest and performed two songs, it’s actually another star’s performance that has American Idol viewers buzzing. Or perhaps, the better description might be lack of performance. Toni Braxton joined Taylor Hicks on stage for a duet of “In The Ghetto.”
However, for much of the song, Toni Braxton’s voice was barely audible and her lips often seemed to out of sync with the words of the song. Some viewers have been speculating that she either forgot the words of the song and tried to cover it up by letting out the occasional “whooo” or she was merely doing a poor job of lip syncing the entire song. Another possible explanation circulating is that she might have been having microphone problems.
Whatever the reason, Toni Braxton delivered the most bizarre performance of the night. At one point during the song, Braxton also grabbed Taylor Hicks' hand, pulled it forward, and appeared to start rubbing it on her hip. The surprise move by Braxton looked to have caught Hicks completely off-guard. It might have not have been so surprising on another song, but the subject matter of "In The Ghetto" hardly lent itself to sexy dance moves. Some American Idol message board posters are also speculating that producers cut the duet short due to Toni’s lack of vocals and sexy dance moves.
Read my new tagline..
RobFromGa - thanks for the heads up on the tickets. My husband stayed home from work and scored them close to 10 am. Crazy guy got the most expensive seats :). If you hadn't posted that, I would not have known....Thanks!
That was weird. It was like she was trying to sing the song in a really low register. I didn't see when she grabbed Taylor's hand. I really thought Taylor was pick somebody like Joe Crocker, or Michael Mcdonald to do something with.
It's obvious Taylor can not sing sappy, but it appears that's exactly what AI is gonna make him do...Too bad.
Have fun...
He caught the attention of the little teeny boppers that first AI, but faded quickly with some troubles with the law. Minor, but nonetheless he had too big an opinion of himself.
You can see him double over. He said he just told himself, DON'T FALL DOWN.
What a night it was. Taylor gave us a wonderful trip thru American Idol this year. In the end he won America's heart and I can't wait to get his single.
An entertainment know it all, (hah) said that each time a star appeared their own music sold 250% more just from being on Idol.
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