American Idol 2006--Live Thread I

FOX ^ | 1-16-06

[silent_jonny]

for Tammy

[bootless]

OMG! Just saw Paris' audition - that young lady is AMAZING!! She's my pick to win! A third star from N.C.

WOW!

[bootless]

Marcus ... oh good grief, he's trying for Clay's glory notes without any of his actual talent.

Make! It! Stop!

[bootless]

Lawdy! Sammy is Rosie O'Donnell!

[kevkrom]

1000 posts overnight???

Greensboro had its share of clunkers, to be sure, but there are several people to watch out for in the competition as well, though none of them jump out as an immediate favorite to win.

I'd first like to announce that I'll be using a new acronym in my reviews to save the typing as we keep seeing the same thing over and over (and over!). The acronym is GIC, which stands for gender-identity-challenged. For some reason, the GICs have come out in full force this year, along with the normal ranks of the self-delusional and simple attention-seekers.

For a change (compared to Chicago and Denver), I marked five contestants as people to watch out for, with a top tier of three and a lower tier of two. So, ordered by tier and then by order of appearance:

• Kelly Pickler -- very nice "look", comes across as very sweet and likable. She has excellent power, but can she demonstrate any subtlety or range of expression? Prediction: if she makes the top 24, she will make the top 12.
• (Sgt.) Steven David, Jr. -- extremely confident, my notes have one word for personality: "fly". Very good at performing and managing stage presence, not sure how strong the voice is.
• Paris Bennett -- she's got the pedigree, she's got the look, and she's got the chops. I'm not sure her voice is mature enough yet, and there's a warble in there that makes the tonal quality sound wrong to me personally, but there's no denying the talent.

• Halicia Thompson -- not fond of the look, but we'll see what the stylists can do for her. Her voice has good power, but as with Kelly, I wonder about her ability to do anything else. Easily the best "Gospel" style singer we've seen to date
• Tyra Schwartz -- cute, nice personality. Odd mix of a full, rounded tone with some breathy qualities to it. Will she have a problem with breath support down the road?

• Kendra Winston -- Good consistency between high and low registers, she seemed to rush a bit. Compared to Halicia, who sings the same style, I just don't see her advancing far.
• Kenneth "Chase" Bush -- a GIC with a ticket to Hollywood? Ok, certainly a decent enough voice, but is that really material for an "American Idol"?
• Ryan Baysden -- here's one for the ladies. The rugged Aussie will have to step up the vocals a bit, though, before the gals have a chance to swoon over him on the phone lines.
• Jordan Sutherland -- what's with the FF outfit? A surprisingly good voice coming out of that gimmick, with good power, but a bit shaky (pitch-wise) in the lower register.

Next on the tour, the Mecca for the GICs: San Francisco, CA

[kevkrom]

Okay, you just have to wonder about a 22 year old guy who idolizes Michael Jackson.

And of course, MJ himself wonders where they guy was 8-10 years or so ago.

[kevkrom]

"Sexy, different ..."

Seriously, I was bracing myself for the almost-inevitable (but somehow, not used) "classy".

[kevkrom]

Aww come on i'd give her at least 3-1/2 pickles :D

Would it be wrong if I said I'd only give her one pickle... repeatedly?

[silent_jonny]

The acronym is GIC, which stands for gender-identity-challenged

Hey, I like that :) We'll probably be using "GIC" many more times this season, at least during the auditions. (No way "Chase" is advancing beyond the Hollywood round)

(Sgt.) Steven David, Jr.

There's something about that guy that I don't like. He wore his uniform to the auditions--if he wore it to stand out from the crowd, that's one thing. But if he wore it to get sympathy from the judges ... that's kinda cheap.

I agree with your comments about Paris Bennett. She's got the talent and she's cute as a button, but her child-like speaking voice might grate on the voters' nerves if she makes it that far. (Plus, there might be some resentment toward her because of her pedigree.)

My overall favorite was Tyra Schwartz. I not only enjoyed her singing, but I liked watching her sing. She has just the right mix of looks, confidence, personality and presence. (And, if I'm not mistaken, she was one of the few good singers that didn't come in there with a hard-luck story--big points for that.)

Jordan Sutherland -- what's with the FF outfit? A surprisingly good voice coming out of that gimmick, with good power, but a bit shaky (pitch-wise) in the lower register.

I missed that one. Was Jordan a guy or a girl or a GIC? :)

[kevkrom]

Was Jordan a guy or a girl or a GIC? :)

Jordan was the guy in his father's fireman's uniform. He's not an obvious GIC, but the radar is getting a faint blip (then again, with all of the GICs out there, false positives are common).

[Wolfstar]

Good morning, Jonny. Just want to post a few impressions from last night before going to work.

Kellie Pickler is a genuine talent. Heartbreaking story. Very vulnerable girl. I want to put my arms around her and protect her. Too bad she looks so much like Carrie Underwood, because that alone will almost certainly cost her a chance to win. She will constantly, and unfairly, be compared to Carrie. In my opinion, she's better than Carrie, because this Kellie has heart and soul when she sings. I have yet to see or hear that from Carrie, and it's the one thing that keeps me from being a fan. But she won, and that means this Kellie probably can't win.

Paris is the second genuine talent we've seen on the show so far this year. Refreshingly nice attitude and normal, well-dressed young girl. I can't stand her speaking voice, but they won't judge her on that. Unless there's someone else they haven't shown us who will knock our socks off, Paris automatically becomes the favorite to win. She will have Randy in her corner all the way.

I'm increasingly repulsed by all the prissy males they are showing. It's getting very, very old. Only one guy has won AI, and although Ruben has a voice, there was never any chance he'd go far in the business. Isn't there even one genuinely talented, undiscovered, hunky straight guy in the USA? Or is it that they don't want to be associated with a show that features so many gays? Ace is very good looking but, unless he gets better when he sings with music, his voice is only so-so.

There were some very funny bits last night. That one black guy who couldn't sing his way out of a paper bag, but held his notes -- what was it Randy said? -- for two years, LOL! When Simon asked him if he had lessons, and he said yes, he has Randy and Paula's DVD, I thought I'd choke with laughter.

OK, Jonny, you really messed me up, ROFLMAO!!! A young Jeff Gordon in a tux -- NO WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG! I took you seriously, even to the point of cautiously buying into that SNL pic you posted, thinking it was the contestant. And then that weenie turns up on my TV screen. You realize, of course, I'll never trust you again. [huge wink]

Speaking of trust, remind me never, ever to be in the same city with -- what was her name? -- Ronette, Jonette, whatever. Big black chick with everything hanging out, a sewer mouth, and an attitude that would choke a rattler. Whew! That chick just has to have a criminal record somewhere. If she doesn't, we need to invent one just to take her off the streets.

[Idisarthur]

I just learned of her passing. I'm completely shocked and have yet to even gather my thoughts.

I give my condolences and prayers, ever, for her family and friends to cope with the loss, even as time passes.

The manner in which I came to know her was memorable and the private mail was a treat. She left a lasting impression. She will be missed. She won the race. She will rest forever peacefully.

Amazing...

[kevkrom]

she was one of the few good singers that didn't come in there with a hard-luck story

You mean, other than the story about the girl her boyfriend was cheating on her with answering the phone? ;)

[ken5050]

A tidbit y'all might enjoy...

Woke up in the middle of the night..turned on the tube for a few minutes..Scarborough rerun was on..he had a 10 minbute segment entitled.."Is American Idol Homophobic?" He had two guests..some entertainment reporter, and Carmen Rasmussen, both of whom said the show was NOT anti-gay..and Carmen loudly and passionately DEFENDED Simon Cowell..

For thoe of you who may not recall...Carmen was on an earlier AI..and she was Simon's pick..IIFC, back then they had a schtick where the judges could bring back someone. I really liked Carmen's voice..it had a smokey quality to it....heck..I bought her CD...she's a young woman now..well spoken, but sad to say..she's a dead ringer for Chelsea Clinton..

[Wolfstar]

Jonny, I was right. I just knew there had to be a jailbird hiding beneath...well, come to think of it, there wasn't much hiding beneath.

RHONETTA JOHNSON: TRUE STAR! (of the county jail)

Charges:

001 540500
1101B DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED
09/01/2005 01:00 PM REL
1000
SEC 05CR240865
B
002 541800
1101B DRIVING WHILE LICENSE REVOKED
09/01/2005 01:00 PM REL
500
SEC 05CR240866
B
003 559500
1101B OPEN CONT AFTR CONS ALC SUBOFN
09/01/2005 01:00 PM REL
300
SEC 05CR240867
B
004 546800
1101B FICTITIOUS INFORMATION TO OFFICER
09/01/2005 01:00 PM
001 232203
2203B LARCENY (MISDEMEANOR) - UNDER $50
12/08/2005 01:00 PM REL
500
SEC 05CR255791
B
002 533000
2203A DISORDERLY CONDUCT
01/12/2006 09:00 AM REL
500
SEC 05CR255792
B
003 532800
2203A COMMUNICATING THREATS
01/12/2006 09:00 AM REL
1000
SEC 05CR255793
B
004 531000
2203A RESISTING PUBLIC OFFICER
01/12/2006 09:00 AM REL
500
SEC 05CR255794
B
005 540500
2209A DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED
01/27/2006 09:00 AM FTA
2000
SEC 05CR240865
B
006 541800
2209A DRIVING WHILE LICENSE REVOKED
01/27/2006 09:00 AM FTA
1000
SEC 05CR240866
B
007 559400
2209A OPEN CONT AFTER CONS ALC 1ST
01/27/2006 09:00 AM FTA
600
SEC 05CR240867
B
008 546800
2209A FICTITIOUS INFORMATION TO OFFICER
01/27/2009 09:00 AM FTA
1000
SEC 05CR240868
B
009 541800
DRIVING WHILE LICENSE REVOKED
001 138802
1101A ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON - CUTTING
12/01/2003 09:00 AM<

[Wolfstar]

Here's an intersting article from Pop Matters about the darker side of AI -- especially the contract, which has gotten more restrictive over the years.

popmatters.com/tv/reviews/a/american-idol-5-060125.shtml

[Wolfstar]

Quick Bo update: His single 'The Real Thing' is still rising and is just two spots away from going into the top 40, and that's without any promos. His album also has officially gone gold and is at #44 on the top 200. So, even though his health problems have severely held him back, the album's performance continues to show he has tremendous potential.

[Wolfstar]

Here's a link to a fan repository of Kelly Clarkson's songs. It's the repository kept by the people who also maintain the Kelly Clarkson Express fan site. Includes video and audio formats. The repository includes most of Kelly's now-famous Season 1 performances.

Repository link

[silent_jonny]

GOOD WORK, WOLFSTAR!!! LOL! I knew it!

This is the second criminal record revealed this season--well, the third really, if we count both of the twins :)

[silent_jonny]

Remember the ventriloquist on last night's show? He was just on the local news, bellyaching that AI "made me look like a fool!" He says the producers forced him to take his dummy with him when he met Simon, Randy and Paula. Paraphrase: "I didn't want to take him--I knew I would be humiliated!" Pfft, right. Nevermind that he can't sing.

[WestCoastGal]

Placemark and wow!!

Good job finding that, she was really a piece of work.

Can't wait to see San Francisco, one of the preview contestants sounded really good for a top five finalist. The rest of SF ought to be a good show, Simon will probably flip out. lol