American Idol 12 ~ CANDICE GLOVER WINS!!!

[Disney's Divinity]

I loved the montage at the beginning of all the past female winners. It's strange that it was half the series ago (season 6), when a woman last won this show.

1. Angela Miller ~ "Halo"
2. Angela Miller ~ "I'll Stand By You"
3. Candice Glover ~ "Straight Up"
4. Kree Harrison ~ "Have You Ever Been in Love"
5. Amber Holcomb ~ "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?"
6. Amber Holcomb ~ "Without You"
7. Candice Glover ~ "When You Believe"
8. Kree Harrison ~ "She Talks to Angels"

I was a little disappointed by the show, just because a lot of performances didn't live up to the song choices, like I had hoped. Either way, there were some stand-outs. I loved both of Angela's performances, but "Halo" was my favorite. And, for once, the judges didn't criticize her in any way--possibly because she dedicated her first performance from Boston (where she lives)? Either way, I'm glad she'll most likely be fine this week. I really hope she makes it to the final 2 somehow.

I loved Candice's "Straight Up," because it was mostly attitude, which she has in spades. I didn't like her "When You Believe" though. I thought she would really do a great job with it, just because it's been sung so many times on singing shows, but she gave an uninteresting version of it. The only part I liked was the bridge.

Kree is kind of a boring contestant in general, but she can sing, and I liked her second performance with "Have You Ever Been in Love" at least. Reminds me of Trisha Yearwood a lot. Amber disappointed on both songs for me, especially because I love "Without You" and her version was dull and emotion-less. (Funny that both the Mariah covers were awful; I remember that most people did amazing on Mariah week back in season 7 with David Cook/Archuleta/Carly Smithson/etc.) Both her songs were had very pretty vocals, but nothing to elevate them. Still, I hope she outlasts Janelle. Most likely whoever's eliminated tonight will be Saved.

[Disney's Divinity]

1. Angela Miller ~ “Who You Are” Live
2. Angela Miller ~ “Cry Me a River” Live
3. Candice Glover ~ “Emotion” Live
4. Amber & Kree ~ “Rumor Has It”
5. Candice & Angela ~ “Stay”
6. Amber Holcomb ~ “The Power of Love” Live
7. Amber Holcomb ~ “MacArthur Park” Live
8. Kree Harrison ~ “A Whiter Shade of Pale” Live
9. Kree Harrison ~ “Hurts So Bad” Live
10. Candice Glover ~ “Find Your Love” Live

Angela was amazing tonight, besting the other 3 girls. I really hope she wins, but I’m still not sure if that’ll happen (I’m definitely voting for her; my favorite girl since Pia Toscano, and Jordin Sparks before her). I also thought she won last week, but I know some out there might have disagreed with that. I’ve heard her cover “Who You Are” on YouTube already and she adapted it very well on the show (in a shorter time limit). I don’t really like the song, “CMaR,” but she did really well with it, so that it didn’t become so old-fashioned and dull. I thought she was outshined by Candice on her duet, but I still enjoyed her on the song.

Candice was a complete mess with her first song--which had the potential to become a “moment” considering she could’ve really changed it. Unfortunately, it failed instead of succeeded. That said, she sounded impeccable on “Emotion” and her duet with Angela.

Amber was a disappointment for me. She keeps picking songs I would think she’d sound great on, but then they just don’t have the oomph to pull it off. In both cases, she sounded magnificent on the opening verses, but fell flat when it came to the choruses.

Kree was very dull to me tonight, but she has been most nights. She sounds great, but she’s just not entertaining me. Her strange song choices and emotionless performances annoy me, but I doubt she’ll go home, unfortunately. I’m worried she’s going to win. Which isn’t a bad win, since she can sing, but I would prefer any of the other girls over her. I will say I really liked her on her “Rumor Has It” duet though.

Overall, I expect Amber to go, but I hope Kree or Candice do.

[Disney's Divinity]

1. Kree Harrison ~ “See You Again” Live
2. Amber Holcomb ~ “My Funny Valentine” Live
3. Candice Glover ~ “You’ve Changed” Live
4. Kree Harrison ~ “Stormy Weather” Live
5. Amber Holcomb ~ “Just Give Me a Reason” Live
6. Angela Miller ~ “Someone to Watch Over Me” Live
7. Angela Miller ~ “Diamonds” Live
8. Candice Glover ~ “When I Was Your Man” Live

Kree Harrison’s “See You Again” and Amber Holcomb’s “My Funny Valentine” (a reprise of one of her best performances) were the stand-outs. I didn’t feel any particular way about most of the rest. My favorite, Angela Miller, had a bit of an off night although I thought she did decently well on both songs. Harry Connick, Jr. was a great mentor as well; loved his presence on the show. I wouldn’t mind if they got him to be a judge--if he’d accept. I believe he could be a Simon replacement, considering he’s not afraid to be honest.

In two weeks, we’ll have the first female winner in 6 years--and possibly the first non-white winner in just as long. They are all deserving, but I’m still holding out for Angela Miller. She has the most potential to me.

I’m looking forward to seeing David Cook singing his new single tomorrow night, “Laying Me Low.” I’ve listened to the song already, and hope he does it justice on the show. It’s better than most of the material he had on his first two albums, imo.

[Jay]

I haven't been watching but keeping up with the recaps lol. I kind of want Amber to win just because I think she is the most marketable but I doubt she will. It'll most likely be Candice or Angie.

[Disney's Divinity]

I haven't been watching but keeping up with the recaps lol. I kind of want Amber to win just because I think she is the most marketable but I doubt she will. It'll most likely be Candice or Angie.

Yeah, I knew Amber wouldn't last much longer, but I personally liked her. I was hoping she'd at least get Candice or Kree bumped off. Ah well.

[Disney's Divinity]

1. Angela Miller ~ “Maybe”
2. Kree Harrison ~ “Here Comes Goodbye”
3. Kree Harrison ~ “Perfect”
4. Kree Harrison ~ “Better Dig Two”
5. Angela Miller ~ “Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word”
6. Angela Miller ~ “Try”
7. Candice Glover ~ “Next to Me”
8. Candice Glover ~ “Somewhere”
9. Candice Glover ~ “One”

Kree and Angela were definitely the winners of the night for me, personally. I’ve never heard “Maybe” before, but I believe that’s one of my favorite performances from Angela, and both of the other songs were great, too. I didn’t expect to enjoy Kree this much, considering how boring she’s been all season--but now that someone else is choosing the songs for her, she was very entertaining. “HCG” was her best (even though I always thought it was one of Rascal Flatts’ most boring songs), partly, I believe, because of the homecoming video about her deceased parents coming before it (I think this is also the reason I loved her “See You Again” last week so much.). I love “Perfect,” and she changed it enough to fit her country avenue. I don’t care for “BDT,” the song, but I thought her performance was the most lively and electric she’s ever been on the show.

I know some out there will disagree with me, but I thought Candice had a bum night. I’ll be honest and say her voice kind of grates on me sometimes, not to mention all the runs she adds to everything (including “Somewhere,” which absolutely does not need them.). I did think “Next to Me” was her best performance, just because of the high, breathy “aah”’s. I didn’t care for “One” at all, especially considering how well it was done by Adam Lambert back in Season 8. I can’t help wishing Amber was here instead of her, tbh.

All I really hope is that Angela makes it to top 2 (and wins, too.). I wouldn’t be too hurt to see either of the other girls go through or get eliminated, although I like Kree more than Candice. Whatever happens, they’re all deserving and it was a great night.

[Disney's Divinity]

Well, my favorite--Angela Miller--was eliminated tonight. I had a bad feeling. So disappointed that Candice made the finale over her and really hoping Kree wins at this point. Anyway, to leave a memorial to Angela ( ), here’s a list of my favorite performances of hers:

1. “Nobody’s Perfect”
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwRRlzRtMA4[/youtube]
2. “Never Gone”
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TwfFsO1w8o[/youtube]
3. “Love Came Down”
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kyIQrDknzk[/youtube]
4. “Halo”
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NApC0NkxjRc[/youtube]
5. “You Set Me Free” (her original song)
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_NhisWuq9o[/youtube]
6. “Maybe”
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5QW1taa1Z8[/youtube]
7. “Who You Are”
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzoxMptg-gw[/youtube]
8. “Anyone Who Had a Heart”
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TV8LYVdotfI[/youtube]
9. “Yesterday”
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87azBPzITr0[/youtube]
10. “Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word”
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qc1aMRxcQJc[/youtube]

I didn’t care for her performance of “I Surrender,” but I do love the Studio version:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_F4NAr_zqbA[/youtube]

[Disney's Divinity]

1. Kree Harrison ~ “Angel”
2. Kree Harrison ~ “All Cried Out”
3. Candice Glover ~ “I Am Beautiful”
4. Kree Harrison ~ “Up to the Mountain”
5. Candice Glover ~ “Chasing Pavement”
6. Candice Glover ~ “I (Who Have Nothing)”

Preferred Kree tonight and in general. Really hope she wins. Regardless, first female winner since 2007, although I don’t think Candice is the best of the top girls at all.

[Disney's Divinity]

Candice Glover is the winner of season 12 of American Idol!

Although she would have been my last pick of the top 4 to win, she is a great singer and at least she's not another talentless white guy. First woman since Jordin Sparks (who showed up in a funny video about how she and the Top 5 girls sabotaged the guys this season, with her "I Am Woman" playing in the background. ). Angela Miller sounded amazing on "Titanium" with Adam Lambert as well. She's also been given a record deal, along with Kree and Candice. Their singles--"You Set Me Free" for Angela, "All Cried Out" for Kree, and "I Am Beautiful" for Candice--will be released tomorrow. Although I wish Angela or Kree had won, I think they both will be okay in the end, particularly Kree. Angela could go into Christian music as a back-up plan, and have a small niche if nothing else.

Satisfying end to a great season!

[Disney's Divinity]

As a send-off, I wanted to post my favorite performances of the season. It’s impossible for me to cut it down to 10. There may never be another girl’s season of AI, so I don’t feel so bad about making a long list:

1. Angela Miller ~ “Nobody’s Perfect”
2. Angela Miller ~ “Love Came Down”
3. Angela Miller ~ “You Set Me Free”
4. Kree Harrison ~ “See You Again”
5. Amber Holcomb ~ “My Funny Valentine”
6. Candice Glover ~ “I (Who Have Nothing)” (First Time)
7. Angela Miller ~ “Never Gone”
8. Kree Harrison ~ “Don’t Play That Song (You Lied)”
9. Angela Miller ~ “Halo”
10. Kree Harrison ~ “All Cried Out”
11. Juliana Chahayed ~ “Skyscraper”
12. Devin Velez ~ “(Somos Novios) It’s Impossible” (Save Performance)
13. Angela Miller ~ “Who You Are”
14. Candice Glover ~ “Straight Up”
15. Candice Glover ~ “Lovesong”
16. Kree Harrison ~ “Here Comes Goodbye”
17. Adriana Latonio ~ “Ain’t No Way”
18. Angela Miller ~ “Anyone Who Had a Heart”
19. Kree Harrison ~ “Crying”
20. Kree Harrison ~ “Angel”
21. Candice Glover ~ “I Am Beautiful”
22. Candice Glover ~ “Don’t Make Me Over”
23. Angela Miller ~ “Yesterday”
24. Amber Holcomb ~ “She’s Leaving Home”
25. Amber Holcomb ~ “You Keep Me Hangin’ On”
Bonus: Amber & Candice ~ “A House Is Not A Home”

I thought about ranking Teena Torres’s “Lost,” but I loved the arrangement of the song and not her voice. Same with Janelle’s “You Keep Me Hangin’ On.” I ignored Studio versions, which is where I thought Amber shined the most. Overall, it's been an amazing season.

[dvdjunkie]

My wife and I watched the two-hour Finale last night and found it very boring. There were no 'big-name' acts that came along with those performing, except for one.

In the past the Idol Finale has been one of the most watched shows of any season because of the star power that brought this show above and beyond anything else on television. Last night's show was really very boring.

Who was the oriental guy who couldn't rap or sing, and spend most of time grabbing his crotch. I think they introduced him as "Sy" and he did a song which was titled "Gentleman", which I didn't hear used in the song at all.

There was Jennifer Hudson, whom I love from the first time I saw her on Idol, and then followed her to "Dreamgirls" and even traveled almost 200 miles to see her in person in concert. She was the only bright spot in the show that could have been a whole lot better.

Their tribute to Randy Jackson was kind of silly. Telling him that 'the door is always open', making people think it was his idea to leave the show, when it is the producers who are "cleaning house" and I am sure that he will not be in any future plans for upgrading the show.

After all the performances I think that, again, America made a mistake in Candice Glover. She shows no emotional contact with the song she is singing nor with the audience that she is singing it two. And she was off key twice last night, and I found that disturbing. Kree didn't do much better, but she plays to the audience and they loved her.

I am not sorry I missed this season, because of my own personal beliefs that this show is 'rigged' to make sure that the winners are always over 18 years of age. That's why Jessica Hernandez was second to the 'non-talented' Phillip Phillips, causing my boycott of the show this year, along with their choice of judges. Mariah Carey, who was terrible in her performance, and Nikki Minaj on the same judging panel proved to be the straw that broke the camel's back. Keith Urban was a very good judge, along with everyone's favorite 'dawg' Randy Jackson.

Here's hoping that included in the "clean sweep" of the show, that Ryan Seacrest is among the missing also. I think he has worn out his welcome as well. But we will have to wait and see what Fox has in store for the 'new' show.

[Disney's Divinity]

I am not sorry I missed this season, because of my own personal beliefs that this show is 'rigged' to make sure that the winners are always over 18 years of age.

Rigged to make sure the most outdated singers win? They'd much rather have had the younger/prettier Amber or Angela, but the old-fashioned people who dominate the voting on American Idol decide who's going to win. I'm sure the show wanted Jessica to win last year just like you did (that's what I wanted anyway). I wouldn't have picked Candice myself, but she has received a lot of attention from the media for her performances--I don't believe any of the contestants on The Voice have received attention in the media since the show started--and she is still a better singer than the last 3 winners of Idol, the last winner of The X Factor, and the last 2 winners of The Voice. She does pale in comparison to Jennifer Hudson, but many singers do.

They actually had several stars on the show last night, but they are not marketed towards your age group. Emili Sande, Jessie J, Psy, and Pitbull are all hot-selling artists, whether you or I like them or not. I am glad about the judge cleansweep, and that Keith Urban looks to have been spared.

[dvdjunkie]

And why isn't anyone making a big deal out of all the lip-syncing that was on the Finale.

The oriental rapper, I think his name was "Sy", lip-synced his whole song-and-dance. Mariah Carey was also a victim of lip-syncing her solor effort. It was so obvious that pre-recorded material was used in almost half of the show. You could tell because they were doing any major closeups of those artists who were lip-syncing, especially in the case of Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull.

And the ratings came in for the Finale and was the lowest of all 12 seasons, and lower than the current season of "The Voice".

Maybe Fox should just cancel the show and come up with something else to fill that slot.