"American Idol" 2008 Discussion

[Widdi]

I honestly think it was just a mistake, considering she sounded completely confused when she said it herself. Most likely two comments she wrote for two different people ran together and she thought the judges were only supposed to comment after the second performance anyway (which they said at the beginning).

I also didn't see a "deer caught in the headlights" look from the others. They were simply trying to go fast with the time restraints. Maybe it sounds naive, but I thought what I was seeing was just an everyday messup (and with Paula that's no surprise), not a conspiracy.

Except Paula is lying about it today. In an interview given today she said the second song critique was actually her critiquing David Cook's first song. But if you go back and watch the show she tells David his first song was fantastic. Which is it Paula, cause it can't be both. There are also reports that executive Producer Nigel Lythgoe was going nuts while she was talking.

They could at least say something like "we were at the dress rehearsals today to write our critiques because of time constraints" at least that is believable. But trying to say she was reading Cook's critique, which is a flat out lie, really says "something ain't right" to me.

I don't care if the show is rigged or not because it is still entertaining, but if it is scripted I wish they would stop lying to us about it. The public isn't that stupid (naive maybe) but not stupid.

[PeterPanfan]

I WILL NOT watch it anymore. The fact that Jason was the first to be safe disgusted me.

And I started to cry when Brooke left. Paula was crying, too. I am BEGGING my parents to take me to the American Idol Top Ten concert so I can see Brooke.

[dvdjunkie]

Again the little teenboppers with mommy and daddy's cellphone are texting like crazy because they think that Vinne Barbarino wannabe Jason Castro is cute! What on earth is it about him. He ruined to perfectly great Neil Diamond songs, and then with that "s____-eating' grin sheepishly waddles over to the couches. This was a total injustice to the whole American Idol results.

Brooke wasn't great for the past three or four weeks, but everytime we saw her down and out, she popped up with a show-stopping performance and she did just that with "I Am I Said", I thought.

David Cook is riding high on this and I think that unless something major happens in the next few weeks, we will see David Cook pronounced the American Idol 2008. He really deserves it, and should do well.

I am standing by my predictions that it will be All David - All The Time on the final two show. And David Cook will win it all. Jason should go home next week, and Syesha the next week.

As far as the Paul Abdul thing goes, I won't think too much about it, because she is such a space case anyway. She probably read notes taken at the dress rehearsals, which she and Randy Jackson always attend, and Simon stays away from like the plague. He wants to see the contestants on stage for real, and not just during some warm-up show. Changes are coming next year, but Fox won't say what they are, but I think we may see a new judge and Paula will be out. Just my opinion.

[AwallaceUNC]

My prediction for the bottom two: Brooke White and Syesha Mercado, with Brooke going home. That will leave us with a final four of David A., David C., Syesha, and Jason.

As I said yesterday, I've been a Brooke fan but she has had a rough couple of weeks so I can't really contest her departure. I'm happy she made it to the top 5. While I would rather have had Brooke than Cook, I'm happy with the final four overall... I'm holding out hope that we lose David Cook next week but I know that's wishful thinking.

-Aaron

[dvdjunkie]

Aaron, you are way off base with this one. David Cook IS the next American Idol, you will see. The final two will be the two David's and then it will be David Cook wearing the 2008 crown of American Idol.

Don't understand what you don't like about him, he is talented. He has one of the best voices we have had this year on Idol, and he takes songs and makes them his own, which is what they are supposed to do.

How anyone can say a guy with a retro hairdo like Vinnie Barbarino wannabe Jason Castro is the 'now' look is beyond me. He has a very limited range with his voice, and he seems to always be asleep during the interviews.

Next week it should AND will be Jason's last appearance on the show. Then Syesha will make her exit and the two David's will take the stage for the finale. David Cook will win. Listen to Paula - "I'm looking at the next American Idol".

[Disney's Divinity]

Changes are coming next year, but Fox won't say what they are, but I think we may see a new judge and Paula will be out. Just my opinion.

I seriously hope not, otherwise I'll predict the show sinks like a stone. Paula can be annoying at times, but she is iconic with American Idol (as much as Simon and Randy).

I'm not completely sure about who'll win, but I seriously think Syesha will go next week. It doesn't bother me though, neither Syesha, Brooke or Jason should've been in the top six anyway (even if they seem like nice people). David Hernandez, Carly Smithson and Michael Johns should've been there, in my opinion.

[The Tickler]

I think Syesha most definitely does deserve to be in the top 5 (whose ideal members, in my opinion, would've been her, Carly, Michael and the remaining two Davids), but you're right, she'll be gone after next week. Jason and the others have consistently received more votes than her in the past 5 or so weeks (this proved by the fact that she's been in the bottom 2 or 3 each time save for Dolly Parton week), and I don't think her being the sole woman left will change anything. Jason will be in the bottom 2 for the first time, though, but that's only because David A. and David C. are untouchable, as far as popularity is concerned. This has really turned into the most boring, predictable season yet.

[Widdi]

I'm starting to think Syesha will be final two with Archie. Next week Jason goes, then Cookie is the big final three boot shocker, leaving Syesha as the final two goat to ensure David A's win.

[The Tickler]

I'm starting to think Syesha will be final two with Archie. Next week Jason goes, then Cookie is the big final three boot shocker, leaving Syesha as the final two goat to ensure David A's win.

You're on, Widdi! Loser buys the winner a drink at The Zoo next weekend?

[Widdi]

I'm starting to think Syesha will be final two with Archie. Next week Jason goes, then Cookie is the big final three boot shocker, leaving Syesha as the final two goat to ensure David A's win.

You're on, Widdi! Loser buys the winner a drink at The Zoo next weekend?

lol, would you believe I've been 19 for almost a year and still haven't set foot in that place?

[Widdi]

*sigh* another by the numbers show. Randy continued to show his massive hard-on for the Archtard. Those dollar signs are so visible in his eyes now it's pathetic. Cookie-poo sounded just like he does every week. Syesha was great, but overshadowed by Randy's hard-on and Jason, well after tomorrow this show will be so boring I don't even want to think about it. Yeah he's been terrible the last few weeks but at least terrible is entertaining, unlike the rest of this snoozefest. One interesting thing about tonight was that Paula seemed less drunk than usual. She was actually able to put together words coherently for a change. I guess after last week they decided to switch the vodka in that coke class for real coke. Good call.

Onto the ranks I suppose...

1&2: Syesha Mecardo - No Simon, Syesha crushed the competition tonight. She just isn't as profitable as little Archie so you guys can't say that. I've done a total 180 on Syesha since the start of the season. Over the last few weeks she has really started to shine and I've become a fan. Sadly only shining near the end doesn't build up the fanbase required to make it to the final two.

3. David Cook (Hungry Like the Wolf) - I thought this song was much better than his second. It's the first time he has sung a song I love and I've liked it. One thing I did notice about David recently (A friend recently made me a CD with all the performances by the top 12 and I've been listening them) is that he sounds very monotonous from song to song. His voice always stays the same.

4. David Archuletta (Stand By Me) - I actually like this. Don't be too shocked though, even Aaron Carter has one song I like.

5. David Cook (Baba O'Reilly) - Pretty boring.

6. Jason Castro (Mr. Tambourine Man) - Even with the lost lyrics this was a pretty decent performance. He should have sang "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay" he would have rocked that.

7. David Archuletta (Love Me Tender) - I didn't get it at all, and the close up shot of his neanderthalish mug didn't help win me over.

8. Jason Castro (I Shot the Sheriff) - A train wreck moment indeed. Is anybody really surprised that Jason sang Bob Marley though? Too bad it's not 4/20.


The Bottom Two:

Jason Castro - Duh

Syesha Mecardo - The popularity thing puts her unjustly here.

Who goes home:

Jason can head on home. You didn't win the record deal or the green, but I'm sure your buddies back home have a bag of Green waiting for you, and in the end, isn't that better?

[DarthPrime]

Jason is going home, and after those two performances he deserves to go in my opinion.

To quote Randy, tonight was "Just alright for me." Cook is your American Idol this season, but the pimping is still going to Archuleta. Syesha is doing better each week, and her performances this week were good.

I'm still going to call an all David finale with Cook winning. I think Cook is the most marketable in the long run, and will probably do the best. Archuleta may do well at first, but I don't see him having any staying power. Syesha might do alright, she is starting to surprise me, so who knows.

If Jason goes this week, next week may be a shocker. If Syesha can pull out another great week she just might make it to the finale with Cook. Should be a interesting road to the finale.

Does anyone know what next weeks theme is?

[Widdi]

For a person like David Cook, winning on idol is the worst thing that could happen to his career. He would be controlled too much by the record company. If he wants a shot at a good career he should sabotage himself next week to insure himself a third place finish. That way when the record offers come in he can make the rules, rather than follow the strict guidelines 19 has for the idol winner's debut CD.

[Disney's Divinity]

Archuleta was easily the best of the night, Stand By Me being the best he's done in a while; Cook was substandard, but still above the other two; Syesha's first song was pretty good (though more performance-oriented than vocal) and the second was horrible; and, finally, I seriously think Jason is trying to get off the show. A few weeks ago, he was consistently at his best. Now, he's consistently bad (on purpose, I think). It really doesn't matter to me which David wins, as long as they're both in the top two. Neither Syesha nor Jason deserve to be there.

[AwallaceUNC]

A very good night; one of the best from this season. My rankings...

1. David Archuletta - "Stand by Me" was one of his best; "Love Me Tender" was very good too. Per usual, the best of the evening. As Simon said, he crushed the competition.

2. Syesha Mercado - ...Actually "crushed" might be saying too much because Syesha nearly gave David a run for his money. "Proud Mary" was especially good, though the dancing is largely responsible for that. Still, Syesha has come out of nowhere as the dark horse in this competition and I think people are taking notice.

3. David Cook - I really dislike DC but while I didn't at all care for his first song, the second one was not too bad. I still want to see him leave as soon as possible.

4. Jason Castro - As evidenced by my posts in this thread, I've been pulling for Castro from the beginning. Tonight's performances (particularly "I Shot the Sheriff") leave him defenseless. Not only was he awful, he went out with such a flippant attitude. He's clearly performing below his ability and I have to wonder if he actually is trying to sabotage himself. Like Paula said, "the song didn't 'wow' me, but you 'wow' me"... Jason would be very good when making his own music and therefore I'd like to see him stick around for one more week. After tonight, though, I can't blame America if he leaves tomorrow.


My predictions for the bottom two: Jason Castro and David Cook, with Cook being an audience shocker, but Castro ultimately going home.

I'm now rooting for an Archuletta-Mercado finale.

-Aaron

[DarthPrime]

For a person like David Cook, winning on idol is the worst thing that could happen to his career. He would be controlled too much by the record company. If he wants a shot at a good career he should sabotage himself next week to insure himself a third place finish. That way when the record offers come in he can make the rules, rather than follow the strict guidelines 19 has for the idol winner's debut CD.

Your right, but doesn't the runner up usually get a CD as well? I guess 3rd would be the best option, but based on votes he will be in the finale unless something happens.

Bo Bice is one example of why Cook doesn't need to win Idol or finish 2nd. Bo's first CD was nowhere near the type of music he normally does, and is probably the reason it didn't do well at all. I think some of the songs I heard from his band before Idol were a lot better than the first CD. I haven't heard the 2nd CD, but according to his interview on AI a few weeks ago its more like his other music, which if true is a good thing. However he has faded from the spot light the past few years, so it probably want be a great seller.

I also don't think Daughtry would have been as successful if he would have finished in the top 2 either.

[blackcauldron85]

For a person like David Cook, winning on idol is the worst thing that could happen to his career. He would be controlled too much by the record company. If he wants a shot at a good career he should sabotage himself next week to insure himself a third place finish. That way when the record offers come in he can make the rules, rather than follow the strict guidelines 19 has for the idol winner's debut CD.

I've been thinking this for a while now. I really want Syesha and David A. to be in the finale- they both are pop artists, and the show might as well be called "Pop Idol", since it sure isn't called "Rock 'n Roll Idol".

I didn't rank the performances this week, but I voted for Syesha. 2nd place of the night for David A., 3rd for David C., and 4th for Jason. My thoughts on each performance:

David C.:
"Hungry Like the Wolf"- Nice. Not as amazing as I expected, but good.
"Teenage Wasteland"- Very enjoyable!

Syesha:
"Proud Mary"- I think she's awesome. All in all, she's my favorite contestant left.
"A Change Is Gonna Come"- Greatj ob! I preferred the first song, though, but that could be because I don't know this song, but this performance got better as it went on. I'm confused now. (note: I wrote that last sentence during the judging- the judges' comments were confusing my own thoughts.)

Jason:
"I Shot the Sheriff"- Just alright. I'm not a fan of the song, so I am prejudiced in that sense. I woudln't call it atrocious, though!!! I still really like Jason, though.
"Mr. Tambourine Man"- He's refreshing and unique- nice song choice. I don't think he's what the competition is looking for, for some reason. He'll probably go home. It was enjoyable. Not the best, but enjoyable.

David A.:
"Stand By Me"- Very good, like usual. Wait- he assed some of Sean Kingston's "Beautiful Girls"- I don't know if that was genius or a WTF moment.
"Love Me Tender"- I'm a sucker for Elvis songs. Very sweet. Nice tone to his voice. Except on that near-last note.

[AwallaceUNC]

David A.:
"Stand By Me"- Very good, like usual. Wait- he assed some of Sean Kingston's "Beautiful Girls"- I don't know if that was genius or a WTF moment.

It was genius. I wish the judges would have commented on that.

-Aaron

[blackcauldron85]

I meant to use the word "used", not what I used in that sentence that Aaron quoted- horrible typo on my part- my bad.

I guess it was a clever move, but it kind of cheapened the original version that he was performing...Sean Kingston isn't in the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame...

[AwallaceUNC]

I meant to use the word "used", not what I used in that sentence that Aaron quoted- horrible typo on my part- my bad.

I didn't even notice that.

-Aaron