American Idol 2006--Live Thread I

FOX ^ | 1-16-06

[silent_jonny]

for Tammy

[Wyatt's Torch]

Oh please, God, not Ace.

Something is just "off" about him and semi-creepy/sleezy.

I really just can't get past the whole "Ace" name thing. It's so 50's motorcycle gang.

Hey, I agree completely. I don't like him. Would never vote for him and would never buy a record from him. But he is "what they want" in that he fits the target demographic profile. From a marketing standpoint, he's a perfect fit. Unfortunately....

[Hetty_Fauxvert]

I just had to comment on this because I though of Jackie Gleason, while watching him, too!

Yeah, there's something very Gleason-like in his size, the way he moves, etc. He also had that Jimmy Durante growling thing going ... and there was a hint of Robert Benchley, too. Poor guy just belongs in another era (and needs a coach to bring out his interesting points). He doesn't really belong in AI at all, but I can see why they kept advancing him. That'll stop soon, though.

[over3Owithabrain]

I like Taylor Hicks a lot. ManDiesel is gonna go a long way too.

[Palladin]

I got the feeling that Mandisa has just been warming up. Wait 'til she really lets loose. Get out da way!

[Wolfstar]

I like Taylor Hicks a lot. ManDiesel is gonna go a long way too.

The large majority of AI viewers and voters are pre-teen and teenage girls. It will be interesting to see if they support Hicks over the long haul in this competition. They probably think of him more like their dads than as a heartthrob.

[Wolfstar]

It's truly, truly unfortunate that Mandisa is so large. Looks and image do matter in the shallow world of entertainment. She's a good-looking woman and a real talent, but people are less forgiving of large women than they are of large men (a la Ruben). I do think she'll be in the top 12, though, because she can sing and perform rings around all but about three or four of this year's group. I could easily drop Paris out of my top six and put Mandisa in as the season progresses.

[FreedomForce]

Easier for me to pick who should be dropped and more difficult for me to pick who was best than it was with the girls.

Performances I enjoyed:

Chris(thought it was more style than substance though)

Taylor(wasn't as impressive as I'd hoped)

Elliot(agree with Simon that the guy can sing)

Will(I enjoy early Jackson 5 songs so that helped him)

Ace(he can sing but I do find a hint of creepiness about him)

Bucky(a bit too imitative but pretty decent)

Gedeon(okay but you gotta REALLY let loose with that song)

Patrick(good voice that's not exactly my cuppa tea but he does have talent. Agree with the judges that he needs better song selection)


On the bubble:

Kevin(could probably make a decent living just singing "Danny Boy" all over the country, but he's limited)

Sway(pretty much hated that performance, but he does have some vocal skill, and I'm interested in hearing what he does next)

Should be gone:

Bobby(brought nothing to the party except a good attitude)

David(gimmick act that's just not good enough at working the gimmick)

[LA Woman3]

Taylor Hicks sings exceedingly well, but I can't get over his Tourette's-like movements.

At first I thought it was a joke....like an episode of Curb your Enthusiasm (waiter that curses) or Seinfeld (Elaine dancing!)

[Wolfstar]

I did a quick survey of the music boards I frequent to see who is being picked to go home tonight. The four most mentioned names (listed from most to least mentioned) are:

Bobby Bennett
Kinnik Sky
Gedeon McKinney
Stevie Scott

After those four, the next most mentioned (most to least) are:

Melissa McGhee
Brenna Gethers
Bucky Covington
Heather Cox
Patrick Hall

Bobby Bennett seems to be the most disliked of all the contestants by a pretty wide margin. More girls are named in the bottom than guys so far.

I wanted to post this early so, for fun, we can compare the actual results later to what dedicated, daily participants on music forums are saying. Many, but by no means all of them are professional musicians, backup singers, and others knowledgeable about the music industry.

(FYI: I'm none of those three, and mostly just lurk on these forums.)

[silent_jonny]

I really just can't get past the whole "Ace" name thing. It's so 50's motorcycle gang.

LOL!

[Ciexyz]

I loves S&G

I saw Simon and Garfunkle at the Pittsburgh's Syria Mosque (long since torn down.) S&G greeted all their fans after the show, we stood in line for autographs. My friend Stef got a hug and kiss from both guys. You can tell that was the old days, stars don't do that anymore.

[silent_jonny]

Taylor, also a natural performer, and he has the novelty factor working for him. I'm warming up to him ... I have to admit it's hard not to be drawn in by Taylor's infectious joy.

Ya see--you're one of us now! ;)

[Ciexyz]

I disagree with your opinion that Levon was a poor song choice. It's a haunting song; I thought Taylor did it justice. I would have voted for him, but couldn't get thru.

[Ciexyz]

Simon should put a sock on any comments concerning contestant's physical appearance.

[silent_jonny]

I got the feeling that Mandisa has just been warming up.

I think so too.

[Ciexyz]

I voted for Bobby as well.

Good for you! I totally agree with your choice. I think we should give him a pat on the back for his heartfelt performance.

[silent_jonny]

David(gimmick act that's just not good enough at working the gimmick)

I agree. He blew it. If he'd just sang a crooner's song, like he should have, he might be safe tonight.

[Ciexyz]

Ace's brother (shown often by the camera) is even better looking than Ace is.

[silent_jonny]

Bobby Bennett seems to be the most disliked of all the contestants by a pretty wide margin

LMAO! Anybody that chooses to sing a Manilow song on live TV should be automatically ejected. And I just don't like him, period.

BTW, what did you think of Ace? :)

[Ciexyz]

Chris Daughty -- Triple XXX -- Vin Diesel -- chains and bikes, man!