American Idol 2006--Live Thread I

FOX ^ | 1-16-06

[misterrob]

They are all under agreement with AI and unless AI releases you, they own you for the next year. For the winner and runner up there are records that they have to do.

Frankly, it's a bit exploitive but still their big break to get noticed.

[Wolfstar]

Quite by accident, the Hickler wanders into a world of saLmon, calaMARRRii, taRANtulas, minxy minks, and other scary things.

[retrokitten]

That is too funny.

[Wolfstar]

The Hickler and Chicken Little taking their little 'un for a walk five years from now.

[Wolfstar]

The Hickler and her red shoes hunt for taRANtulas.

Pee Wee didn't find a taRANtula, but he wonders if this will do.

[Wolfstar]

I hope one of these weeks they let Taylor play his harmonica and sing a true, old-time blues song. Maybe the Hank Williams classic "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry." I think he'd be a smash.

[EmilyGeiger]

He looks ALOT better without the hair. :) I'm not into grunge. I still don't think he can sing that well though.

[Palladin]

Paris is a human I-Pod. Just push the button, and she produces the sound.

[Feiny]

Kevin looks like a future serial killer.

[Palladin]

I liked Elliott's makeover, too. The white jacket was definitely Tony Bennettish.

I think the producers read our remarks here.

[Palladin]

You have a better ear than I do, with regard to voice placement. Lisa's voice is still very young, and it's not always good to "tag" a voice that young as limited to one particular range.

My daughter went through college as an operatic voice major, and they had her singing coloratura in all her performances. Later on, at about age 28, she was "diagnosed" by a well-known voice coach as a mezzo! What a surprise.

[Irish Eyes]

Thanks silent_jonny, Interesting bio. I feel like I am beginning to get up to speed with the American Idol craze. :)

[retrokitten]

LOL It's like the AI story book.

[Echo Talon]

[b9]

Wow, good catch. That *is* a pair of "spiders" in that Gherkin pic from 2004! Never worn 'em before, eh? Hah! and double hah! :)

Can't believe I'm defending little red, but didn't she say she'd never worn such LONG false eyelashes before?

[Wolfstar]

I'm not into grunge. I still don't think he can sing that well though.

Hi Emily. I'm not into grunge, either, and think Ace looks better with short hair. I also agree he can't sing well. I put him at the bottom, just above Kevin.

[Wolfstar]

It's like the AI story book.

LOL! Yep. They have their "backstories," we have ours. ;-)

[Wolfstar]

Can't believe I'm defending little red, but didn't she say she'd never worn such LONG false eyelashes before?

Not sure of her exact words, but she did give the impression false eyelashes were new to her, along with saLmon and minx.

[b9]

LOL... yup, it will forever be saLmon around our house from now on.
We done been Gherkified!

[kevkrom]

I think Simon said it right... it was like watching two different shows. The latter half (minus Chicken Little) were vastly superior to the first half. Most of the early performances were plagued by nerves, especially in bad starts.

Folks will be able nit-pick on the order, but there's no doubt that the first 5 are separated by a hair -- any order is pretty much interchangeable with another.

1. Taylor - It's about freaking time he showed up... knocked this one out of the park. I wasn't fond of the "bridge", but that's the only bad thing I can say. My Grade: A
2. Katherine - Ditto. Where has she been the last three weeks? But sweetie, fire your makeup and wardrobe folks. My Grade: A
3. Paris - A bit affected, but another "nailed" performance. My Grade: A
4. Lisa - A bit theatrical, but very professional. Just needs to add that extra "wow factor" as Simon calls it. My Grade: A-
5. Chris - His "style" covered the fact that his voice isn't as good as the top contenders. This was an excellent, solid performance. My Grade: A-
6. Mandisa - Snakebit by nerves in the beginning, got it back under control. Does she do anything except "belt"? My Grade: B
7. Elliott - It was, to invoke Randy, "a'ight". Sounded good, after the opening jitters, but it just wasn't a "star" performance. My Grade: B-
8. Bucky - Clearly his best performance to date; to his credit he is improving. That said, his "growl" still covers the fact that he's missing notes (flat). My Grade: B-
9. Ace - It was like watching a Michael Jackson impersonator trying to do Stevie Wonder, and just as painful. Too breathy, annoying, and pretentious (not to mention light-in-the-loafers). My Grade: C+
10. Kellie - Nervous, missing notes. Like Bucky, her "twang" helps cover the fact that she's missing notes all over the place. My Grade: C
11. Melissa - Can we please have Ayla back? I don't know what Simon was hearing, but this was awful. The beginning was a mess, pitch all over the place, and even when she got pitch under control, her tone was awful, it made her sound flat. Nice dress, though. My Grade: D+
12. Kevin - I refuse to grade or critique this bad joke.

Overall standings:

1. Lisa Tucker (NC)
2. Paris Bennett (+2)
3. Katherine McPhee (+2)
4. Mandisa (-1)
5. Chris Daughtry (+1)
6. Elliott Yamin (-4)
7. Taylor Hicks (+1)
8. Ace Young (-1)
9. Bucky Covington (+2)
10. Kellie Pickler (NC)
11. Melissa McGhee (-2)
12. Kevin Covais (NC)