American Idol 2007--Live Thread (Part I)

FOX ^ | 1-15-07

[girlscout]

*

[Palladin]

HAHAHA! I could picture silent_jonny falling off his chair again last night when Pickler displayed her new boobs.

Move over, Dolly Parton! Here's the New You, younger, firmer, and better!

[Palladin]

Our first was born during season 4 (April). Numbers two and three came on Jan. 12 this year. Congrats! If AI keeps on going for another ten years, they'll be writing a "Cheaper By The Dozen" sequel for you!!!

[Netizen]

Well, she does represent the Western moral decay he is so fond of railing against....;-)

But enjoys!

[Netizen]

This is pretty good.


Not Ready to Make Nice Choices
On ''American Idol,'' the viewers mostly get it wrong, sending home decent singers like Nicholas and A.J. while sparing Haley and Antonella

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20007164_20008533_20013916_,00.html


By Michael Slezak

Is it too late to demand a recount? Yeah, I know A.J. Tabaldo, Nicholas Pedro, and Leslie Hunt were never going to be the next American Idol, but they certainly would've made for a more intriguing — or at least a more tuneful — final 12 than some of the folks who got an inexplicable ''free ride'' into the third and final week of the season-6 semifinals. (Nope, I still can't get Rudy Cardenas' oddball song choice from last week outta my head.)

Now we'll have to endure at least one more week of Sanjaya Malakar performing with the confidence of a baby deer trying to cross an eight-lane highway, Brandon Rogers bringing human form to the word ''disappointment,'' and Haley Scarnato fine-tuning what's sure to be a killer closing number for the 2008 Miss San Antonio Pageant. And of course, there'll be future Oscar winner Antonella Barba out to prove that Simon Cowell really has a tin ear. Maybe she can sing a little somethin' from Dreamgirls to prove her point.

As for A.J., well, at least he'll never again be forced to declare, ''You know I love the lay-dees!'' during a group rendition of ''Joy to the World.'' As he proved with his performances of ''Never Too Much'' and ''Feeling Good'' during the last two weeks, he's way too talented for such blush-inducing bunk. The kid may not have the star quality of a Chris Daughtry or the vocal power of an Elliott Yamin, but he brought some much-needed exuberance to this year's semifinals, even if the show's judges never could bring themselves to treat him like he was more than Idol cannon fodder.

Nicholas' elimination, meanwhile, while thoroughly predictable, was also kind of a bummer. Really, of the 12 male semifinalists, his voice was one of the most distinctive. Yeah, last night he dressed like a stunt double for Ugly Betty's Henry From Accounting, but even now, when I close my eyes, I can actually remember the tone of his voice, and better still, the memory doesn't make me reflexively wince.

I shan't be wincing over tonight's doomed women, even though I kinda wish Leslie had outlasted the thoroughly abysmal Haley and Antonella. In Leslie's case, I'm guessing voters were so weirded out by the awkward way she signaled ''seven'' with her hands last night as her Idol number flashed across the screen that they couldn't bring themselves to cast votes in her direction. Also disconcerting: Leslie's woeful attempts at scatting on Nina Simone's ''Feeling Good,'' and the shiny red footwear that stuck out like sore thumbs-down when paired with her black leggings and brown tank top. Girlfriend's boots were made for walkin' all right — straight back to Anonymousville!

And finally, this week, we bid adieu to the sweet, if not particularly gifted, Alaina Alexander. How cruel was it for Ryan to first announce her elimination, then remind her of the judges' brutal evaluations from last night, then ask her to sing ''Not Ready to Make Nice,'' a song that even Alaina must know by now is out of her vocal and emotional range? No wonder the girl broke down crying and couldn't get through the song! And then, on top of it all, to have to endure Paula's patronizing remarks about how it was clear the other contestants cared for her? It might've been more humane to stuff Alaina into a cannon and blast her out into the Hollywood skyline.

Then again, no one ever said eliminations were supposed to bring on a case of the warm fuzzies. Certainly not TV Watch readers, who amused me to no end this week with their patented brand of snark. One of my favorite observations came from a reader going by the name of Wondering, who asked, ''Is charisma a banned substance in the male competition?'' Then there was Bud, who argued that ''Sanjaya and Brandon should go...or maybe they should just kick off Sanjaya twice.''

Finally, there was Crapalicious, who wrote, ''This season, ehhh...they set the bar too high with last season's great bunch of singers. I never thought I'd be missing Pickler's calamari comments.''

Lucky for Crapalicious, Kellie was back tonight — although with her Mama's Family hairstyle, dreary ballad, and alarmingly in-your-face breasts, she cut a very peculiar, and strangely fatigued, figure. Even her ''gold-hearted rube'' shtick seemed worn to a disheartening nub. Let's hope Golly Mae gets a couple weeks' rest before she starts her upcoming tour.

Anyhow, back to the important stuff: What did you think of America's choices for elimination this week? Why did Paula make the universal symbol for ''loser'' — the thumb-and-index-finger L across the forehead — as Ryan introduced her tonight? And who do you think was the winner of season 6's inaugural cry-off: Sundance ''It's Just My Allergies'' Head, or Gina ''Two Hanky'' Glocksen? Be sure to weigh in on our message board, and to check out the newest episode of Idolatry, which will be playing all weekend at EW.com.

[Netizen]

Funny stuff!

I just read yesterday that there was only a 6,000 difference between Taylor's and Daughtry's opening week sales. I was surprised by that.

[Netizen]

American Idol: Porn Idolgate - Antonella To Pose For Playboy
Report and Commentary by Ron Lemon
http://realitytvcalendar.com/recaps/ai6/commentary/rl-03-02-07-p1.html

March 2, 2007
Could it be? "Absolutely" says Playboy publisher Hugh Hefner. Laura Saltman of Access Hollywood posed the question to Hef at a recent Playboy Mansion party. She showed him the photos that have made Antonella an Internet Porn Princess and Hef told her it's a "Very real possibility. "Yes, absolutely."

[Netizen]

Idol Carrie

Carrie will return to the American Idol stage Thursday, March 8 to perform her current Top 10 hit “Wasted.” Surely, this is must-see TV!

Carrie on the Tube

In The Moment: Carrie Underwood is the wonderful hour-long documentary of the beginnings of Carrie’s career which originally aired in 2005. Tune in to CMT on Friday, March 2nd at 12 midnight and at 4pm ET.

Tune in to CBS’ “The Early Show” this Monday morning (March 5th) to see who will be nominated for the 42nd Annual ACM Awards.

http://www.mrsjonesonidol.com/fastlanes/mar0207.html

[Wolfstar]

The unfortunate thing is that Taylor's CD had several problems that were not of his making (several that were, though). Last year was the first time the AI powers-that-be allowed losing contestants to release albums before the winner. By the time Taylor's album came out, the other AI albums had sucked up much of the oxygen for show viewer carryover into album sales. Also, industry sales as a whole are down significantly. And rock has been making a comeback the last three years or so as hip-hop/rap has begun to fade a bit. Taylor's sales are actually good for a new artist, especially given the overall depressed album sales. But they are definitely disappointing by AI winner standards.

[Netizen]

Last year was the first time the AI powers-that-be allowed losing contestants to release albums before the winner. By the time Taylor's album came out, the other AI albums had sucked up much of the oxygen for show viewer carryover into album sales.But they are definitely disappointing by AI winner standards

AI brought that on themselves and as much as Cowel hates Taylor, I wouldn't be surprised if it was done to purposely sabotage his sales. I like how Daughtry also gets preferential treatment by using one of his song as the send home song this year. That'll help boost his sale too. Too bad they don't help all their former contestants when they can, instead of tearing some down every chance they get.

[Netizen]

Okie dokie.

This following link goes to an article that starts out talking about Pickler, but then, veers off into Scooter Libby and Plamegate, and how we should be more offended by Libby than Skanerella at the memorial. Thought I'd post it just in case anyone felt like leaving the author a message.

" I honestly don’t understand why people have more anger about some girl posing inappropriately on a war monument than they do about Lewis Libby. It doesn’t get mentioned much, but there were agents and informants who had worked with Valerie Plame Wilson who likely did get compromised. If anyone outed Valerie Plame just to make a point, we’re talking seriously sick, not young and stupid."

"Phil Stacy: I enlisted right after 9/11 to show my patriotism, now I sing in the Navy Band. I know the argument that makes sense of this, but it still made me think about Pat Tillman ( a personal hero of mine) who gave up the NFL to become an Army Ranger then got killed by friendly fire after which the army lied about it. Isn’t appearing on American Idol, the exact reverse of the Tillman story?
I missed my baby’s birth to go to an audition. I’m now defending my country by being a recruiting device on a reality show that promotes my singing career. You seem like a nice guy, but…that’s not going to make me root for you. Fox News meet Fox Network."

http://chancelucky.blogspot.com/2007/03/didnt-you-used-to-be-kellie-pickler.html

[Wolfstar]

If I was in Taylor's position, I'd be having my lawyers going over the contract very carefully to see if there is grounds for a suit. The whole point of winning is to get that contract supposedly worth 1 million. But what's the point of even trying to win if so many of the losers also get contracts, like what happened last year? Not only get contracts, but are allowed to release albums months before the winner. Last year was the first time this happened.

Hard to do a long response from my cell phone, but want to say that I honestly believe the Jennifer Hudson situation has a lot to do with why they signed so many of last year's group. They didn't sign her. Then she got the Dreamgirls part in Nov. 2005, and by summer Geffen had put out the word that she was Oscar material. The AI POB got no cut of any of that action. Jennifer may very well have deserved her Oscar...I have no way of personally making a judgment since I haven't seen the film. And I'm happy for her. But something just never seemed right about how this movie newcomer was being touted for an Oscar only months after getting the part, well before the film was completed, let alone released.

[silent_jonny]

Carrie will return to the American Idol stage Thursday, March 8 to perform her current Top 10 hit “Wasted.”

YES! That's my favorite song on the whole album. Glad they're releasing it as a single.

[silent_jonny]

Skank charm bracelets? ;)

[FreedomForce]

Wasted is the first song by Carrie that has really impressed me. I couldn't figure out who it was when I first heard it on the radio. Should be great to watch her perform it on the show.

[silent_jonny]

I have to post a brief excerpt from the lastest TVgasm recap . They must lurk on this thread ;)

.

Yes, there was crying and sobbing all around -- mostly from the girls, but also from Sundance, whose tears threatened to wilt the mighty power of his trowel-esque goatee. Aaaand he's earned at least three week's immunity with that show of emotion.

... Ryan then introduced us to last week's winner of the American Idol Challenge, and GOOD GOD! What is that beast in the front row??? Oh, it's just the guy who won. And yes, he lived up to scary Internet stereotypes: fat, hairy, bespectacled, unseemly, and suffering from mangled teeth. The women next to him looked utterly pleased to be within his stench.

Ryan then introduced us to this week's very special musical guest / Idol alumna: Kelly Pickler. Yes, The Pickle returned, AND HOW! Sporting a new set of fake boobs and a dumb, new hairstyle, Kelly looked like she was going on thirty-five (which was not a good thing). I know that haircut is so Nashville, but good God, it was awful. And those breasts. So distractingly huge now...

[retrokitten]

Mine, too! It's about time.

[Netizen]

I have found that I really like most of her CD. In fact, I've been thinking about getting another one since I sent the first one overseas to the troops. It'll be nice to see her on the AI stage again. :)

[retrokitten]

LMAO! I read the whole thing. It's really funny.

[Wolfstar]

Skank charm bracelets?

Skankarella needs some trinkets to soothe her bruised ego when the judges slam her performances. Tell her it's the latest fashion statement and she'll be thrilled. ;-)