LIVE THREAD: American Idol Finals

http://www.freerepublic.com ^ | May 20, 2003

[mr.pink]

He did a great job with it, but I think a stripped down version would have sealed the deal for him.

You should check out Johnnie Cash's version of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" from his latest CD. So stripped down, stunning, and powerfully haunting that Clay's rendition last night, while excellent, didn't impress me that much.

That said, I hope Clay wins it as IMHO he's the better all around performer. Both will have long and sucessful careers, and Ruben's gotta' lose about 80 Lbs..

[floriduh voter]

I voted for Clay again last night. It took me at least 2 hours to get through. When he hit that high note on Bridge Over Trouble Waters, I think he had it sewn up.

Ruben is a very good singer but if his phrasing isn't so good because he's already sweating & huffing and puffing by a third song, how can he possible be a pop star doing at least twenty songs and some moving? I thought Ruben's first song almost came apart in the middle.

It was definitely a tough competition this time around but I stuck with CLAY.

If Ruben wins, Clay will still have a huge career because he would be good in a sitcom, any type of comedy be it a - movie or musical. And, that voice - gives me chills when I'm not swooning like a schoolgirl.

[floriduh voter]

The day after: I noticed they were really plugging for Ruben like crazy last night. It went so far as to posting Ruben's phone number after he finished singing. They didn't do that for Clay. They also talked a lot more about Ruben as if they were attempting to make him the AI by hyping him.

But when the singing competition began, Clay just outsang Ruben. People who vote for Ruben are probably not singers themselves so they miss the technical faults with breathing and phrasing that Ruben hasn't mastered yet. Not to say that he can't get better but Clay's already mastered those things as well as having an AMAZING RANGE.

[floriduh voter]

Clay is not gay. I think he looks great in those Beatles-Buddy Holly type suits. I love his sparkly eyes - his voice. I feel like one of those girls who first heard Sinatra. I think his voice is that compelling.

You're gaydar is just fine. Visit the North Carolina locale where they may be talking about Clay. Some NC freepers have inside information re: Clay if you post a question there.

I'll come back later and post the url for the best AI message board on the net. It's not the official one but it's a fun read. Fregards, FV

[OldFriend]

The hype has been all Ruben all the time. Even Josh Gracen mentioned that when he was a guest on a TV show. Said they are really pushing Ruben but he thought Clay had the better voice. I guess Josh is in the doghouse now!!!

I'm glad I persisted and got to vote for Clay last night.

[OldFriend]

Ruben has to lose at last 150 pounds.. They say he weighs 350......but it's probably more than that. Very unhealthy. Not good to promote that kind of obesity.

[floriduh voter]

Ruben has phrasing and breathing problems. These are major impediments to a sustained performance. Recording artist, yes but Ruben would get into trouble on a tour unless he drops some poundage which will help his breathing and phrasing. Sometimes, his voice trails off because he's out of air. More training would help that. He can sound nice and smooth but I'm hearing the rough patches.

If he wins, I won't pout because Clay will have a huge career in any event. Clay's worked hard but he makes it seem effortless and that's what it's all about imo.

[floriduh voter]

Simon looked bored until Clay sang his number 3 song. Then Simon woke up. I usually agree with Simon even when he's getting booed. LOL Did you know that Ryan Seacrest is gay and Clay is not?

[ican'tbelieveit]

Just get really tired and achy. Since the computer is in the livingroom, well, I can't play online. Need to fix my laptop so I can play when I am laying down.

[OldFriend]

There have been articles in the papers about Ruben just not improving during these last few weeks. His talent is stagnant.

He mentioned doing a song with Tamyra Gray, so I guess it will be A House Is Not a Home. He's just not Idol material at this point. The judges tried their best......but he didn't live up to their hype.

[JustPiper]

I can relate to that. I have to go about 1200 feet or so to my pc and with two knees of osteoarthritis, it hoits ;)

[republicandiva]

Had to drop off last night when hubby needed the internet! Thanks for posting the articles and polls- I appreciate it!

You sound kind of defensive in one of your earlier posts. IMHO, what you're picking up on from Clay fans is very similar to what most of us at FreeRepublic do on a daily basis - fight media bias. It definitely existed in Ruben's favor leading up to the final. My objection is, if they truly want the public to vote and pick the American Idol, the producers, judges, etc. have to make a more concerted effort to keep this thing more unbiased.

In one of my posts, I stated that Ruben blew it - he did IMHO. This was his to win, and although he did a respectable job, he didn't seem to have the energy to kick it up a notch. I watched the tape and heard even more pitch problems and shallow singing than I did the first time through.

I know you want to defend him, and I still do think he is a great singer, but that guy has got to lose some weight. Some heavy singers can carry it off, Ruben can't. It's obviously affecting his singing ability. If you can't get enough air into the diaphragm because of your weight, your singing will suffer. If you're so overweight that you're sweating and winded simply from singing- you're asking for an early grave. If Ruben could drop at least some of the weight, I would love to hear a rematch of these two a year from now!

BUT, just because I think Ruben didn't make the grade last night, doesn't mean he won't win - I still think there's a very good chance this thing is almost a tie when all the votes are counted. And, like I stated before, both of these guys are going to have at least somewhat successful music careers, so I'm not sure either of them really lose. And even more importantly, I think everyone who enjoys music wins. American Idol has done more to bring "music" back to the mainstream than any phenomenon in a very long time. Young kids seeing this competition will realize you have to strive to be the best if you want to win...even in music...not at all a bad life lesson.

[mr.pink]

Ruben has to lose at last 150 pounds.. They say he weighs 350......but it's probably more than that. Very unhealthy. Not good to promote that kind of obesity.

I agree, he's past three fifty. Alot of his appeal is his size, but he could lose 100 and still have the big boy thing working just fine.

Heck, I'd wager he could get a major endorsement and nutritional program from a dieting company to help him save himself. He's in dangerous territory at a time when he should be prepared for a long and great career.

[OldFriend]

You know very well why the judges gush over Ruben.

At least Randy Jackson is thinking about his own personal credibility and is being more honest as it comes down to the end.

[floriduh voter]

Luv your comments. How can you be a pop idol like Britney, et al if you are exhausted after 3 songs standing still? Ruben needs to lose the poundage. Poundage worked for Pavorotti but he's the exception. However, poundage hurts Ruben's breathing and phrasing and what kind of movie would Ruben be making? He'd be too tired to make any movie unless he loses weight. That's the way show biz is. Survival of the fittest with an amazing range and voice control - that would be Clay, no matter how "sweet" Ruben is.

Remember John Candy? Thought so. This is not a slam against morbidly obese people or chubby people but show business is really hard. LONG HOURS. DEMANDING.

[floriduh voter]

I'm betting that Simon is a producer but can't sing that well himself. I'm betting that's he's jealous of CLAY. He obviously wasn't jealous of Justin Guarini last year. Simon is jealous of Clay because he's got it all.

That being said, of course Simon must be a gazillionaire for being on this show. He's got lots of cash now but I say he's jealous of Clay. That's what's going on.

Re: the lopsided adoration of Ruben, if they say nice things about Ruben (favoritism), they can defend charges of racism or that the contest was fixed. You never know... Jesse Jackson may be waiting in the wings. FV

[EllaMinnow]

Good morning!

I tried to vote for over two hours last night, and I never got past the busy signal.

[floriduh voter]

6 4 and 360 pounds. What kind of beach movie would that be?

There are entertainers, recording artists and studio musicians. Ruben can be a recording artist but I don't think he acts like a performer on stage. He's uncomfortable up there and rolls his eyes. Recording artist "yes". And, he really needs to lose weight. I think Tamyra Gray is MORE LIKE CLAY - overall talent. Tamyra and Ruben together, that would be nice.

CLAY AIKEN won me over. Fox has Ruben's grandparents on and they are acting goofy.

[floriduh voter]

Clay and Kimberly Locke are very close friends. Ask my mom.

[ican'tbelieveit]

Definitely hoits. I get spasms in my ribs, and stiffen up terribly if I am in any position for more than a few minutes when I get tired like this.