Hi Jonny. Just taking a moment before lunch to put in my 2 cents on last night's performances. No PC = I watched the show on time instead of recording it. (BTW, CompUSA did recover my data, thank goodness. Still will wait a couple more days for the new hard drive to be installed...sigh.)
Anyway, about Katharine, in my opinion you have it exactly right about her. She projects ZERO self-confidence. Her fear makes her seem a little stiff and awkward, and makes it hard for her to connect with the audience. She doesn't know how to use her physical gifts to best advantage. I think she's over-trained to the point of being like a marionette. It's going to be extremely hard for her to overcome that problem and become more natural and comfortable on stage.
Mandisa, as we all agree, has the opposite problem. She's is a tremendous performer. She's warm and connects very well with the audience. She also has a pretty face, but...let me put it this way: If everything else about Mandisa was identical to what we have seen these last few weeks, but she weighed around 120 pounds, there is no doubt she'd be the frontrunner to win this competition. This is less a statement about Mandisa and far more a statement about much society frowns on heavy people, especially women.
Based on last night's performances, none of the other women are worth discussing, in my opinion. Well, maybe one -- the Gherkin. I echo everyone else's comments about her hick-from-the-backwoods act getting very old. I liked her dog more than her last night, even though her performance was probably 2nd best of the women.
Jonny, you know I have not been a Carrie fan, yet I hated Simon's comment that he likes Pickler better than "last year's winner." He made a similar comment to one of the men this year about being "like Clay Aiken, only nicer." Simon pulls that kind of crap every year -- disses the prior year's star(s) to pump up a favored contestant in the current season. I HATE it.
Remember earlier this year when Simon was complaining about Kelly Clarkson supposedly not allowing her songs to be used by AI? Remember I said Kelly owes zero thanks to the show, and that Simon & Company might do the same thing to Carrie next year? Here we have a perfect example of how little regard the AI powers-that-be have for the contestants, both current and former. Carrie most definitely did not deserve that slam from Simon. Kellie Pickler does have a bit of charm and does know how to work a stage. She is the female equivalent of Justin Guarini. The Gherkin is absolutely no way, no how in the same league as Carrie Underwood -- and this from someone who has no plans ever to buy a Carrie album.
If everything else about Mandisa was identical to what we have seen these last few weeks, but she weighed around 120 pounds, there is no doubt she'd be the frontrunner to win this competition.
Definitely. But even as things are, I think Mandisa has earned a recording career for herself, no matter what happens on Idol. She is by far the most likable of the ladies, and I admire how she doesn't let her weight control her while she's singing--she was shaking that butt all over the stage last night LOL!
Idol is lucky to have her, and to their credit, I think they know it.
the Gherkin. I echo everyone else's comments about her hick-from-the-backwoods act getting very old ... I hated Simon's comment that he likes Pickler better than "last year's winner."
I agree, that was completely unnecessary and served no purpose other than to belittle Carrie, a young lady who is representing herself and this show VERY well. Simon should apologize. But he won't.
BTW, did you have a chance to click the link above your post? Vote For The Worst did a hit-piece on the Gherkin. 90% of it is here-say, but a lot of what they say backs up our suspicions.
http://www.votefortheworst.com/pickler.html
She is the female equivalent of Justin Guarini
OUCH! LOL