"American Idol" 2008 Discussion

[PeterPanfan]

Brooke White needs to win!

[Widdi]

I think that Luke Menard will get kicked off, and I can see either Chikeze or Danny being the other male booted off.

But we have to wait until tomorrow night to know! I can't wait to hear the girls tonight.

I feel like I've missed out...I've read a bit about Josiah but haven't heard him yet (since I haven't watched AI in weeks)...I probably should look him up on YouTube!

Danny isn't going anywhere. He has votefortheworst.com behind him. At this point he's pretty much guaranteed at top 12 spot now.

I'd put my money on Luke and the guy with the curly hair (I can't remember his name) going tonight or maybe Jason.

My early predictions for top 6 guys: David A, Jason, Danny, Michael, David C and Robbie

[UmbrellaFish]

I was pushing for Joshiah, only because he's from where I live. But, it's probably a good thing he was taken out, because if he hadn't, I would have voted for him even if he wasn't a good singer.

[MickeyMousePal]

01. David Hernandez- okay

02. Chikezie- kind of boring

03. David Cook- the best performer of the night

04. Jason Yeager- boring

05. Robbie Carrico- great but not his best

06. David Archuleta- second best performer of the night

07. Danny Noriega- Not so bad just needs to have more fun

08. Luke Menard- boring, boring, boring

09. Colton Berry- Looks like Ellen and is boring but he was having fun

10. Garret Haley- boring, boring, boring

11. Jason Castro- great but the guitar didn't really help

12. Michael Johns- great performer to end the night

[blackcauldron85]

Again, during the show, I wrote notes, so here they are:

01. Kristy Lee Cook- "Rescue Me"- Nice voice, weird eye things (movements), a little boring

02. Joanne Borgella- "I Say A Little Prayer"- Seems really nice. I like the sound of her voice, but it seems like an average performance, a little shaky

03. Alaina Whitaker- "I Love You More Than Yesterday"- Shaky, weird run; great song choice; chorus was great; verses are shaky. (My third favorite of the night.)

04. Amanda Overmyer- "Please Don't Go"(?)- I don't like her voice. I don't know the song. I'm sure she's talented, but I don't like the sound of her voice. It's cool that she's trying to bring rock to AI, though. She does seem nice.

05. Amy Davis- "Where the Boys Are"- Initially shaky, didn't follow the camera, still a bit shaky, just average (performance & voice), not the best of the night, almost boring

06. Brooke White- "Happy Together"- Great song choice! I like her. Nice/interesting voice. My favorite so far. Nice stage presence. Great overall performance! (My second favorite of the night.)

07. Alexandrea Lushington- "Spinning Wheels"- She seems really nice. Nice song choice. She seems versatile. I really like her! Great energy/stage presence. My favorite so far. She can make an older song contemporary. Great job! A real standout. I can't believe that Simon doesn't like her! (Tied for my favorite of the night.)

08. Kady Malloy- "Groovy Kind of Love"- The Britney Spears impersonator! During the audition, I prefered her Britney impression to her own voice. I really like her voice. Nice song choice. Some bad shaky things going on. Got a little worse. I think she has potential. My 4th favorite so far. I don't know if I like her personality. (My fourth favorite of the night.)

09. Asia'h Epperson- "Piece of My Heart"- She seems nice. I like her vibe. I like her vibe/personality better than her voice, though. She needs to enunciate better or something- she "swallowed" some parts of words. I think maybe she just has a raspy voice.

10. Ramiele Malubay- "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me"- Great song! I'm sure she can do better, but I think she has potential. This performance is shaky, but I'd like to hear her voice with another song- I think beneath the nerves is a great voice. I'd vote just to keep her on, not really vote just based on this performance.

11. Syesha Mercado- "Tobacco Road"- She's extremely talented! I really like her! Tied for my favorite! She has amazing vocal power! Her ending note got pitchy/shaky, but she's great! (Tied for my favorite of the night.)

12. Carly Smithson- ?- Nice voice. I don't know the song. Not the best performance of the night, but she has a nice voice. I don't know if she lives up to the hype (I agree with Simon's comments).

I voted for Alexandrea, Syesha, and Brooke.

[Widdi]

While the boys were all hit or miss, the girls were just a blob of blah.

I'd rank em

1. Asia'h Epperson - Undoubtedly the best of the night. I love this girl.

2. Ramiele Malubay - She brought it big! Though she needs to work on stage presence.

3. Amanda Overmyer - I just love her. That's all I have to say.

4. Alaina Whitaker - Biggest surprise of the night. Like Jason I don't remember her at all from the auditions/Hollywood week (probably because her look is pretty homogeneous with a few of the other girls) but she stood out tonight and I can see her going pretty far.

5. Alexandrea Lushington - You show that show that the sisters can rock too and aren't just R&B/Gospel divas! I like her a lot, definitely one of the more original performances tonight.

6. Brooke White - People seem to like her, and I like her too, I just don't love her or feel in anyway that she can have longevity in the music business.

7. Syesha Mercado - I didn't like it, but I don't like the type of song she was singing. She's got a good voice though, I don't know if it's special enough, but it's good.

8. Joanne Borgella - I wanna love this girl (probably that strange attraction many gay men feel towards BBBW) but tonight was just ok; borderline bad even. Don't let the curse claim another victim!

9. Carly Smithson - I've liked her since the beginning, but she didn't deliver tonight. In other news I actually own her CD they talked about.

10. Kady Malloy - I see nothing special about her voice and never have. She's just another cookie cutter pop star who will release one mildly popular song and disappear forever. Though at least she would get one song unlike most of the past winners.

11. Kristy Lee Cook - I've hated her since her audition, and once again tonight was no different.

12. Amy Davis - It was bad, but in her defense, I didn't actually hear the whole thing because I muted my tv. Only the second person I've ever done this too. Chris Richardson was the first. I still think he must sound different when you're standing 5 feet away from him because the judges praised him and I wanted to shove sharp objects in my ears.

I think two of the following four will go home tomorrow
Amy/Kristy - because of their badness. Carly because of the controversy about her not really being an amateur. Amanda because she isn't the type of singer the majority of people who watch AI like.

If I were a betting man though I'd say Amy, Kristy, Luke and Garret go home tomorrow.

[MerXAN]

Ramiele and David! Both young and talented.

[dvdjunkie]

blackcauldron85 wrote:

04. Amanda Overmyer- "Please Don't Go"(?)- I don't like her voice. I don't know the song. I'm sure she's talented, but I don't like the sound of her voice. It's cool that she's trying to bring rock to AI, though. She does seem nice.

Here I go again, and it is not a criticism or attack of anyone. These were songs of the 60's, and most of you aren't old enougn to know the big songs of the 60s, and "Baby, Please Don't Go" was a monster for Ted Nugent and the Amboy Dukes, and Amanda really got it right. Her scat with the guitar riff was right on, and I really think she is going to show her true self in the weeks to come. Could be this year's Chris Daughtry.

12. Carly Smithson- ?- Nice voice. I don't know the song. Not the best performance of the night, but she has a nice voice. I don't know if she lives up to the hype (I agree with Simon's comments).

Another great song from the 60's, "The Shadow of Your Smile" was one of the top ballads and Carly did a great job, but I don't think good enough to stay in the competition.

My predictions for the first four to go are:

Guys: Luke and Garrett - neither showed they had what it takes to be the next 'American Idol'.

Girl: Amy and Carly - The two poorest performances of the night, based on song choice and performance of the song. They could have done better but didn't.

[Disney's Divinity]

Remiele is definitely my favorite of the girls. I also liked Alaina, though she seemed a little spoiled. The rest I could care less about. Also, Amanda Overmyer doesn't have a good voice. And, to me, when a voice doesn't sound good, it shouldn't be singing.

[blackcauldron85]

I'm so bummed that Colton got kicked off! I voted for him...it's hard to get attached to people so early on!

I'm not surprised about Amy leaving. When it was down to Joanne and Amanda, I wanted Amanda to leave...Joanne's performance tonight was actually better than it was on Monday night. I'm not completely surprised that Garrett left, but I wanted Luke or Jason Yeager to go home. When it was down to Chikezie and Colton, I wanted Chikezie to leave, but no.

[dvdjunkie]

Joanne and Amy are gone. Just shows that a bad choice of material can shoot down all that you have worked for. I was really surprised about Joanne getting the first boot, but then this is the vote of the people.

Garrett and Colton were not a total surprise. I thought Colton would be around at least one more week, but it is probably best that he went now. I think that Simon was unusually cruel to him saying "Get a job cause you won't make it as a singer".

Next week we lose four more, who do you think it will be? There is truly a lot of talent out there and it going to get steadily harder to choose. This is truly the time that all of them have to bring their "A" game to the show. Two more weeks and we get down to the Top 12 and it is "game on" for American Idol Season 7.

[Widdi]

Next week we lose four more, who do you think it will be?

It's hard to guess because one performance can make or break you on that stage. If I had to make a prediction of who the top twelve will be based on everything we've seen so far, what America has liked in past seasons, and the producers occasional rigging of the show (Sanjaya going the week before the big charity event last year was just a bit too convenient, epically considering dialidol.com placed him in the top 3 of the night) I would say our final 12 will be:

Kristy Lee Cook
Asia'h Epperson
Carly Smithson
Ramiele Malubay
Alaina Whitaker
Brooke White
David Archuleta
Chikezie Eze
Danny Noriega
Michael Johns
Jason Castro
Luke Menard

[dvdjunkie]

Widdi, you are really going out on a limb accusing the biggest show on television of being "rigged". Just for arguments sake, let's say it is, (it's not) why would they want to rig a show that is all about singing talent? Let's face it, how many of the past six seasons do we have any memorable stars. We can name and count them on the fingers of one hand. If they were going to rig a show, they would make sure that we had 'superstars' each season and there wouldn't be the allowing people to help vote for their favorites.

I would never pay any attention to any website that isn't authorized by American Idol, and would never quote an unauthorized source about anything. Sanjaya was an exception to the rule, and had a great following of young people that swallowed up the phone lines each week, and then finally ran his course. If you think it was convenient that he wasn't on the fund-raiser, that should just be your opinion, but to say a show is rigged, is stepping way out of bounds.

A show like "Big Brother", or "Survivor" is more likely to be rigged than a show like "American Idol". There are too many eyes watching what goes on with a show like that. "American Idol" is one of the few unscripted shows on television that is based on the audience watching at home participating and helping to find the next "big star". If you want to think that a show like this is rigged, that is fine, but let's not accuse anyone of "rigging" a show of this caliber.

Let's all watch "American Idol" and enjoy as it unfolds each week, and watch as America votes for their favorites. Let's not quote unauthorized websites as being the 'know-all be-all' of who is going to go and who is going to stay.

And as for your list - keep us up to date on how you do. I think, personally, that you are way off, and this year's crop of talent is a lot better than you give them credit for. Let's see how America votes, and see how many of your list are still standing when it comes to the Top Ten.

[Disney's Divinity]

I think that Simon was unusually cruel to him saying "Get a job cause you won't make it as a singer".

I thought so, too. I was guessing he'd say something like "Get a job in theater," considering that was the problem he had with the guy. One of the few times I've thought he was unnecessarily harsh.

[Widdi]

All I have to say is anybody who doesn't think American Idol tampers with the results sometimes (not every week, but when things aren’t working out in a way the show is satisfied with) is naive...

Anyways, here are my rankings of tonight’s performances:

1. David Hernandez – It was surprisingly good. I didn't think the guy had a snowflakes chance in Hell of making the top 12 before tonight, but now he may. Will have to give an equally good show next week to solidify his spot.

2. Luke Menard - What a comeback. After a very poor showing in week one, Luke gave, what turned out to be my favourite performance of the night. It wasn't the best, but I think it was better than this year's choice boy's mediocre, over praised showing. Luke has the AI look, and tonight he proved he can sing.

3. Jason Castro - I loved it. I really think were getting a reverse Chris Richardson effect with him. The judges weren't feeling it but everybody in my house was. I think because of the way he was critiqued this week that is top 12 spot is no longer a sure thing. He's going to have to work for it next week.

4. David Archuleta - In the words of the immortal Simon Cowell "I didn't get it". I mean it was sung "okay", but in comparison with Lennon it was like nails to a chalkboard. I didn't find it the least bit "moving" except that it made me want to move to my Ipod and listen to the real thing. I really feel that David's marketability is causing the judges to over praise him. The kid will sell CDs and when it all comes down to it, that's the kind of person Simon Fuller and the record companies want to win this thing. They don't want another Fantasia they want another Kelly.

5. Michael Johns - Not as good as last week, though I still think this former OZ residents spot in the top 12 is in no danger.

6. Danny Noriega - Umm, right... it was okay... but I bet there is another thing that America (well the more delusional America anyway, you know the girls who still think George Michael is singing about them) doesn't know that you could of told us tonight... Danny isn't going anywhere. He is Sanjaya 2.0.

7. David Cook - I 100% agree with Simon on him. The guy lacks charisma and though he can sing relatively well, he is uninteresting and I just don't care.

8. Chikezie Eze - Nope, still don't like him. But I still think he will make the top 12.

9. Robbie Carrico - I don't buy the rocker thing either. It's all well and good to have a favourite type of music, but if it isn't the type of music you can sing then don't sing it. I think our reformed boy bander is done for.

10. Jason Yeager - Another miss, and an even bigger one than last week. It's time to say goodbye to you.

So prediction time....

Robbie and Jason Y. go home this week, with Jason C. as my alternate pick.

Current Predictions for top 6:
David A.
Luke
David H.
Michael
Danny
Chikeze

[dvdjunkie]

Widdi, you are so off base on your opinions. You sound like a young girl who enamored of one's looks over one's talent. That's just my opinion, so don't offense if you are really a guy.

I was totally blown away by David Archuleta's version of "Imagine", and I think he and David Hernandez are definitely in the top 4 male vocalists. Danny Noriega redeemed himself this week, but I don't think he will be around when it gets to 'crunch' time.

My picks for the two to go are - Castro, mainly because of his hair, what is up with that? Plus, his vocals were really weak and he is NOT the second coming of Andy Gibb!! I also wouldn't be too shocked if Luke doesn't make it past this week. He comes from an acapella background, and I don't think his voice is strong enough to carry him through much farther.

Being naive has nothing to do with it, Widdi. There are too many people watching over this show to make sure that nothing "funny" is going on with the tabulation of votes. That's why I just sit back and call in my votes and watch the results on Thursday. I don't care about websites that think "they know who" will go this week, because they don't, and I just enjoy the entertainment that these young talented men and women bring to the table. And more often than not, I side with Simon Cowell on his criticism of the talent. Having been responsible for a couple of groups in the 60's that went on to better things after I was smart enough to listen to someone like Cowell, I have an appreciation for what he says.

[Disney's Divinity]

I loved Archuleta's version of "Imagine"; it's got a completely different sound, but it's still beautiful albeit in a different way (when some try-outs got the boot for having "Disney" voices, makes me notice that Archuleta could easily have been one of them). It was also weird that I disagreed with Simon on David Cook. Besides Archuleta, he's the only one I care to see. I don't think confessing that he has a few quirks will ruin his image at all.

And I guess Hernandez was pretty good too, I just hate that song.

[Widdi]

Umm... did you seriously just accuse me of putting looks before talent and then go on to say Jason Castro should be eliminated because of his hair?

Yeah, nothing like the pot calling the kettle black...



And as far as the show being rigged, I don't think it is. If it was we wouldn't have winners who get dropped from their label. But I think that in certain instances (like getting rid of a joke contestant the week before a big charity show that said contestant would have hurt by taking part in) the producers of the show do step in.

AI offers no real numbers on individual contestants, we are just supposed to take their word on who got eliminated each week, which pretty much gives the producers the ability to eliminate whoever they want (that and the disclaimer in fine print featured at the end of each episode that states the producers of the show are allowed to throw out any votes for any reason). To think that they don't exercise that "right" on occasion is naive as far as I'm concerned. Does it happen every week or even every season? Probably not, but I'd be willing to bet it has happened before and will happen again.

In the end AI is about finding someone who can make the company more money. It isn't about talent, it's about being able to market someone, and if they have talent that's a great bonus.

I still love the show regardless.

[blackcauldron85]

I didn't watch AI last night, since I was busy, but I did watch the performances on YouTube. I didn't have time to listen to what the judges said- I just watched the performances. I could go back now and listen to the judges, but I don't feel like it...

1. David Archuleta- "Imagine"- Very nice voice, great job!

2. David Cook- "All Right Now"- It's great he's playing the guitar. I like how he's a rocker but I like him [I don't like the rocker Amanda]; I really like him.

3. Chikezie- "I Believe To My Soul"- Not great, but better than last week, got better as it went on.

4. Jason Yeager- "Long Train Runnin'"- A lot better than his performance last week- less borning! He actually gave a nice performance- the background singers & band helped a lot, though.

5. David Hernandez- "Papa Was a Rolling Stone"- Very good! I'm impressed! My favorite so far! except the last note "jiggled" a tiny bit.

6. Danny Noriega- "Superstar"- From the beginning, I didn't like it. He kind of is like this season's Sanjaya- I agree with you, Widdi! He should go home. His performance was worse than last week's.

7. Robbie Carrico- "Hot Blooded"- I like his voice, but I don't know if it was a good song choice? Maybe because I read comments about him not being "rock". It wasn't bad, but not the best.

8. Luke Menard- "Killer Queen"- I really like this song. He was a lot better than last week, but there are much better performers. Not bad.

9. Jason Castro- "I Just Want To Be Your Everything"- He's adorable [due to his pre-song video]!!! He's my new AI crush. The vibe was very "him". Not the best performance, though. I want to see more of what he can bring to other genres, so I don't want him to leave yet, but I can't really see him winning, even though I like him.

10. Michael Johns- "You Can Go Your Own Way"- I don't like him. I didn't last week, and I don't now. Nothing against him, but I don't really like his voice. He's definitely not the best singer out of the guys.

My favorites were:
1st place- David Hernandez
2nd place- David Archuleta
3rd place- David Cook
4th place- Jason Yeager

I didn't really like David H. or Jason Y. much last week, so I'm glad that they upped their game this week.

[Widdi]

David H may be going home sooner than later. We all know how idol hates sex (Poor Frenchie...) and David may soon be finding himself in the middle of a sex scandal.

Photo's of him working as a stripper/bartender at a gay strip club have surfaced. If these photos become an issue I can see him getting the boot from the show.

I don't care at all about it (like I didn't care about Frenchie's topless photos) but too many uptight conservatives wont want a gay stripper singing and dancing on a family program and I can see idol caving and sending him home. Either through results manipulation or by giving him the Corey/Frenchie treatment.

I wont post a link to anything, but the pictures are pretty easy to find, so if you want to see go on a little scavenger hunt. It shouldn't take you long.

In other news, word on the street is Robbie's rocker 'do is a wig. Guess the judges are dead on about him being a poser.