Alexis Watch

Yes, I have a crush on Alexis. And, yes, I think she can sing, too. I am counting on you to dial 1-866-436-5703.

Joanna Pacitti out of Idol

Too bad. I really liked her.
http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2009-02-12-idol-pacitti_N.htm
http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/12/idol-contestants-elimination-draws-unwanted-attention/

Comments

I hope the lack of comments means that folks are enjoying reading my takes on Idol and feel there is no need for them to leave comments. Or it could be because I had the settings such that you couldn't leave comments without an account of some kind. I have changed that so feel free to have your say.
You will notice that my mom (an Idol watcher from the beginning) already has.

Bummer about Jamar

Another year, another letdown. Two years ago it was Sabrina (yes, I am still hurt and bitter about her premature exit and I refuse to get over it). Last year it was Asia’h and Alexandrea. This year, it’s Jamar. Really? Are there really 36 singers better than him? Nick/Norman? Seriously?

Tatiana? OK, I’ll admit it – she makes me laugh. At least this year I am entertained by the annoying person, as opposed to Danny Noriega or the Still Unspeakable One. But I have REAL problem that Jamar is not still in the competition.

As long as I am on problems, I really hated the way that the producers had friends compete against each other in the sing-offs – that seemed unnecessary and cruel. And I hated that both a winner and a loser had to face everybody in the waiting room at the same time. What should be a giant moment of elation for the winner becomes bittersweet, instead. In general, I am glad the pre-voting part of the show is over and we can get on with reality rather than the producers idea of drama which was more like emotional manipulation.

OK, now on to the singers. The stars mean nothing other than the way I highlighted people I liked as I saw them:

4 stars – Danny Gokey

2 stars – Alexis with the really cute, purple-highlighted hair and young daughter; I REALLY like her

2 stars Allison – the 16 year old with the “raw, natural talent”

1 star – Lil Rounds, a “good old fashioned singer” according to Simon

1 star - Steven Fowler, the guy who walked off the stage in Hollywood after forgetting his words; he has a wonderful great voice

Others of note:

Adam Lambert now to known as Emo-Chic, bestowed on him by my daughter Cassandra

Jasmine Murray

Joanne Pacitti – I think she can sing and I just really like a lot her for some reason that I can’t put my finger on

Kai Kalama - wild hair, good looking guy

Taylor Vaifanua – didn’t see her until tonight, seems like she can sing

People I Like

Prior to tonight's Finally-We-Get-to-the-Final 36-Group, here are the people that have stood out to me, at least those I can remember right now given that we have had so little face time with people of any talent:
Danny Gokey and his friend Jamar Rogers (decent but not as good as Danny), Lil Rounds, Kristen McNamara (I may have read somewhere that she was on Nashville Star?), Adam Lambert (the theater-looking dude), Anoop, Jorge, Anne Marie Boskovich; and despite terrible rounds last night: Joanna Pacitti, Steven Fowler (forgot his words twice last night), and Jasmine Murray.
I'm sure I'm leaving some out but those come immediately to mind.
I guess I've learned this: that what you see in the auditions doesn't translate to Hollywood (e.g. Lanesha); and what you see in Hollywood isn't the way it will play out once the finals start. Some people get a lot better (Elliot Yamin, David Cook, Jordin Sparks), some worse (sorry ladies, I just never thought Michael Johns delivered on his early promise), and some have mystifying success (Bucky, Kristy Lee, and the [still] Unspeakable One whose name begins with S in case you forgot who I am referring to).
All that to say I have no early predictions, yet.

This is a singing competition, right?

Well the Standard Poodle was clearly ready for the bright lights but I was a little disappointed that the 13 inch Beagle failed to bring it’s A-game to the table when it counted most. On the hand, the Scottish Terrier was a pleasant surprise and . . . . oh, uh, that’s right, um, American Idol . . . . . well . . . .
Sorry. It’s THAT time of the year again for me. My Annual-Week-After-The-Super Bowl-Watch-The-Westminster-Dog-Show-With-Christine. There are some things in life you simply learn to accept and not question them. I like to think of it as practicing the self-management that I preach. But back to the matter at hand.
Another shameful week of create-drama-for-ratings. We are going to hear people SING this year, right? At some point, hopefully tomorrow night, Tatiana and her weepy melodrama (that I enjoy in some twisted way) and Nick/Norman (who is totally annoying) have to go home, yes?
Tonight the only person that really impressed me was – again – Danny Gokey. I LOVE this guy’s voice. He can sound smooth, gritty, soulful, go high, go loud, give you some vibrato – or not – and knows when to do all of those things.
It was obvious that the judges were considering a whole body of work because some of the performances were rather lame by people I thought were good. I’m happy about that because I think there may be a few gems out there – IF WE ACTUALLY GET TO HEAR THEM SING!
I was sad about Lanesha. I thought the little clip we saw was enough to get her through but apparently not. Hollywood Week always claims a few people who originally auditioned well. Speaking of which, the word is that David Osmond lost his voice due to laryngitis which explains his ouster last week. Bummer. I think that would have added an interesting subplot to the proceedings.
So tomorrow night, we finally see who our finalists are - at least the final 36. And if we don’t start getting some singing soon, I’m going to have to write about my girl Kara (another fabulous blouse tonight).
But the real question is: can Yes, the all-time winningest black standard poodle hold off a field of sharp competitors such as Conrad, the Puli with the dreads? Or will a toy dog be victorious?

Tears, Fears, and Occasionally Some Singing

OK, I admit it. I am truly sick and need help. I am actually entertained by the drama of Group Day. I am watching it again with Diandra who missed it earlier. Even worse, I find myself liking the crying, bossy, group-changing, thanking-everybody Tatiana.
When we actually saw some singing, I lost my girl Rose who I was worried about, anyway. And we saw some killer performances: Danny Gokey is really, really good and his whole group's a capella song gave me goosebumps even the second time I watched. Jasmine Murray and Adam Lambert are top 12 material, too.
Next week we cut the 75 remaining down to the last 36 and I'm finally feeling like I'm seeing some people to get excited about.