American Idol, Season 5 **Official Discussion Thread** Part 2

[damo]

Complexity is only to be respected if it is accomplished in turn, and I'm sorry, but I don't feel that stretching every two syllable word into 6 or 7 syllables constitutes accomplishment. And again, I find his voice grating in the extreme...like a poor imitation of Willy Nelson, without the accompanying something that makes Willy's voice special.

And I'm not the right person to say whether one guy is "more attractive" than another, as I don't really lean that way. Still, I think you'd be hard pressed to find many people that would agree with your statement above, particularly if they weren't familiar with either of their singing abilities.

Stretching two syllable words has nothing to do with timing. When the 3/4 beat changes to 5/8 changes to 1/2 all within 8 bars, now that is complexity and Elliott accomplishes that flawlessly. That is what the judges are talking about when they talk about the vocal masterclass.

 

[ckay87]

Being a "Superstar" is not always the greatest thing in the world. The pop stars of the world aren't always very interesting.

Very excellent point. I think some of our remaining AI boys might just be marketable to those of us who care more about music and great performances than appearances. And I'd betcha anything there are enough of us....WITH MONEY to spend...

 

[phisigprincess]

Hey Obi-Wan Pinobi - figured you'd really appreciate this one.

This is from Paris' Idol exit interview.

Her favorite performance, "I would definitely have to say I was most proud of my rock week. No one ever expected me to be able get through Queen. I was happy I made Queen happy and I was able to do a song that Freddie Mercury wrote just before he passed away ("The Show Must Go On"). That was the best week for me."


(We all know it was Obi-Wan's favorite performance too. )

 

[MrsMud]

I don't mind at all when someone voices their like or dislike for a contestant's SINGING. What is really offensive to me is the constant belittling of a certain contestant's LOOKS! When I was was in junior high school some kids in my class were making fun of a somewhat "unattractive?" student. My teacher said something I have never forgotten: "There, but for the grace of God, goes you". Not everyone is born classically beautiful; but for most people there is not a whole lot they can do about it. Would you make fun of someone who was born handicapped? I thought it was what's inside that matters.

 

[xangelinax]

i totally agree with you mrsmud, but this is entertainment media, of course it is going to be about looks and everything... all the contestants go on the show knowing that they are going to be judged by millions of people. i know that it is supposed to be about there voice and singing, but for ai, that is just not the case sometimes.

 

[ckay87]

i totally agree with you mrsmud, but this is entertainment media, of course it is going to be about looks and everything... all the contestants go on the show knowing that they are going to be judged by millions of people. i know that it is supposed to be about there voice and singing, but for ai, that is just not the case sometimes.

But I don't think looks matter in the entertainment industry as much as the entertainment industry itself believes. I truely and completely believe that's a myth. Looks may be a real factor for the under 20 crowd, but for those of us with the bucks....we don't really care. For us, it's talent; it's what moves us. I believe that.

 

[Jennasis]

Looks mean squat. Just look at Mick Jagger or Steven Tyler! There is a reason they call it having "a face made for radio", but then again "video killed the radio star!" HAHAHAHA.

Yeah, looks are part of the AI package, but IMO not at all the most important part at ALL Personality far outweighs looks. I would rather listen to or spend my money on a butt-ugly singer with a decent voice and a stellar personality, than waste a second of my life or a single penny on a gorgeous singer with pipes to DIE for and a crappy personality. This is why I never listen to Celine Dion, Whitney, Mariah etc.

 

[wvrevy]

But I don't think looks matter in the entertainment industry as much as the entertainment industry itself believes. I truely and completely believe that's a myth. Looks may be a real factor for the under 20 crowd, but for those of us with the bucks....we don't really care. For us, it's talent; it's what moves us. I believe that.

Who's more successful...KD Lang or Shania Twain? Lyle Lovett or Keith Urban?

Oh, I agree...it's not all about looks. But it's certainly a factor. The exceptions are far fewer than those that prove the rule.

I wish it weren't, believe me. But it is. All the evidence shows that. Shoot, even AI this season showed it, to some extent, as Ace made it far farther (as did Kellie, depending on who you talk to) than his talent should have taken him. If Mandisa had tipped the scales at 120 instead of 320, do you really think she'd have been gone as quickly as she was? True, I wouldn't have voted for her either way, as her attitude about religion rubbed me the wrong way, and I would never buy the type of music she would produce. But don't you think she would have gotten more votes if she hadn't looked the way she did?

 

[auntpolly]

Looks mean squat. Just look at Mick Jagger or Steven Tyler! There is a reason they call it having "a face made for radio", but then again "video killed the radio star!" HAHAHAHA.

Well, I think we've been talking about "looks" too much, because when I first started rooting for Elliot, I didn't think "He's not good looking enough to win" but I thought that he just didn't have that certain "flash" that it takes.

Besides, this is "American Idol", with people from all kinds of musical tastes coming together to try and decide what can be agreed on to represent everyone. The winner can't help but have something of a "lowest common denominator. In the end, it will be the watering down of all of our tastes and favorite genres.

 

[Jennasis]

The final four all deserve to be the final four. Way to go dudes (and dudette!).

I always think back to the Hollywood audition when Elliot made it through and that Brittenum twin guy was all pissy because nobody practiced, but yet ELLIOT was the best in the group! Elliot deserves to be where he is.

Let the chips now fall where they may...

 

[ckay87]

Looks mean squat. Just look at Mick Jagger or Steven Tyler! There is a reason they call it having "a face made for radio", but then again "video killed the radio star!" HAHAHAHA.

Hey watch it there....Steven Tyler is HOT!

But then there's another thing...you put a dude on a stage and let him rock out, really get into his music, and that's hot. I don't care if he has 3 eyeballs- that's what does it for me. If Elliot would do that, I'd be into him too. He's just a little to mellow for me, but I see his appeal also.

I remember first seeing Taylor. I though "ummmm, no." Then the harmonica got my attention. Now, I'm having these dreams.....

 

[Jennasis]

True. Even Chris at first glance wouldn't have made me turn my head, but after HEARING him (especially after "Wanted Dead or Alive") I almost snapped my neck turning my head. He's smokin! Oh the naughty naughty thoughts in my head. Luckily for me my DH's name is Kris, so I can get away with fantasizing...even out loud.

 

[irishbosoxfan]

He's smokin! Oh the naughty naughty thoughts in my head. Luckily for me my DH's name is Kris, so I can get away with fantasizing...even out loud.

SSSHHH don't let anyone hear you say that!! It's fodder for rumors and innuendo!! But I'm with you! Maybe it's the bald head! I don't know!

 

[DBarber600]

I remember first seeing Taylor. I though "ummmm, no." Then the harmonica got my attention. Now, I'm having these dreams.....

LOL! ckay87, Did you get your new signature from graycharles?

Hope you found what you were looking for there.

And, in reference to this statement "you put a dude on a stage and let him rock out, really get into his music, and that's hot." I'm assuming you're talking about Taylor because I don't think you even have to be watching him to know he's into his music. The soul oozes out of the performance even just listening to it. Or maybe I only think that because I can see the performance as I'm listening to my ipod. That's how many times I've watched it on Tivo ... sad, I know.

 

[plove53]

Paris - ... Oh no you didn't use the word to get bleeped - but oh YES you did! On the DVD playback you can clearly hear the SH before the sound was taken off. Naughty little Paris! Is grandma going to wash your mouth out with soap? Isn't there a "G" rated version of the song for the radio? Shoulda sung that one kiddo. Either way, it's time for you to go home.

actually the radio version just says "shhhh" so just because she said "sh" doesnt mean she used the curse, she probably did use the clean version

 

[Figment22]

I always think back to the Hollywood audition when Elliot made it through and that Brittenum twin guy was all pissy because nobody practiced, but yet ELLIOT was the best in the group! Elliot deserves to be where he is.

I always remember that too. I'd actually like to see the final three be all the guys. I'm not a Katharine fan.


damo,
GREAT photos of the final four



On a completely different note:
I watched American Idol Extra on Fox Reality last night. They asked the final four what recording they had in their personal collections that would surprise everyone. I didn't catch what Elliott said. Katharine said the soundtrack from Cirque de Soleil, which is completely UNsurprising to me. But Chris' and Taylor's were definite surprises:

Chris said he owns recordings by Richard Marx.
Chris: "What can I say? I'm a fan."



And Taylor owns a recording by....wait for it...






THE WIGGLES!!!
Taylor: "Those guys are just so funny!"


Cracked me up.

 

[bicker]

That is an interesting point to ponder: I do believe that this Final Four is the best four people who competed this year, unlike some previous years, where some lesser singer managed to slip into the Final Four.

 

[CookieGVB]

LOL Did Elliot borrow money from you and never pay you back??? You seem to be on this weird smear campaign!

Probably one of the funniest comments I've seen on this thread!

I'm happy for all 4 - each has their appeal, even if each doesn't appeal to me, I understand that others see it.

 

[bicker]

LIFE IS NOT A FAIRY TALE: THE FANTASIA BARRINO STORY (Lifetime) - Viola Davis, Loretta Devine, Kadeem Hardison and newcomer Jamia Simone Nash have all been cast in the original movie about the life of "American Idol" winner Fantasia Barrino. Barrino will play herself in the project with Davis and Hardison as her parents, Devine as her grandmother and Nash as Fantasia's younger self. Debbie Allen is directing the telefilm, which will track Barrino's life as a teenage single mother who overcame poverty, sexual abuse and illiteracy to win the FOX competition. "Life" is set to premiere this August.

http://www.thefutoncritic.com/newswire.aspx?id=7144

 

[Robinrs]

LIFE IS NOT A FAIRY TALE: THE FANTASIA BARRINO STORY (Lifetime) - Viola Davis, Loretta Devine, Kadeem Hardison and newcomer Jamia Simone Nash have all been cast in the original movie about the life of "American Idol" winner Fantasia Barrino. Barrino will play herself in the project with Davis and Hardison as her parents, Devine as her grandmother and Nash as Fantasia's younger self. Debbie Allen is directing the telefilm, which will track Barrino's life as a teenage single mother who overcame poverty, sexual abuse and illiteracy to win the FOX competition. "Life" is set to premiere this August.

http://www.thefutoncritic.com/newswire.aspx?id=7144

Oooooo... kewl!!!