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

[Nancy]

Just to upset the vibrato thinking. I liked Scott and I like Eliott too! I like all the singers that remain.

 

[Ranatra]

There is no way that he got less votes than Katherine that night. !

Many people are shocked over this but I'm thinking what might have happened is that Kat got a lot of former Paris voters and Chris didn't.

 

[TXTink]

We are leaving in about an hour for a week at WDW and I am still thinking about American Idol! (this must be a sickness!)

I was hoping someone could vote an extra vote for Elliot for me! I am guessing I won't be around to do that..... I'll probably be in line for Expedition Everest or Rock N Rollercoaster! Thanks!!

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

Looks like Simon's choice for Katharine is "Over The Rainbow" from the Wizard of Oz. Interesting choice. She could do well with it IF she doesn't try to oversing it like she did "Can't Help Falling in Love".

Here is an interesting article posted on MJ's Big Blog with a different perspective of why Chris was voted out.

NY Post political columnist John Podhoretz analyzes Chris's loss as if it were a failed political campaign. He makes some very interesting points:

"And this is what explains Chris Daughtry's stunning loss this week on "American Idol." He has a distinctive voice and distinctive appeal. The problem is that he never broadened his base very much. If you liked him from the start, you stayed with him - which is why he remained solidly among the top contenders through most of the show's run.

But if you didn't much like his sound when there were still 9 contestants remaining, you weren't suddenly going to decide you liked his sound when there were only 4 remaining.

The key to winning American Idol isn't being overwhelmingly popular in the early stages. The key is having a sound that makes it possible for you to pick up votes from people whose favorites have gotten booted off the show. Because if you don't get those votes, somebody else is going to get them.

Taylor Hicks has a distinctive sound and style that are clearly very pleasing to millions. But I think he's a little like Daughtry. If he's your favorite, he's been your favorite for a long time - and he needs to be the second favorite for McPhee's fans to win.

But McPhee's sound is probably closer to Elliot Yamin's. Thus, according to the logic of coalition-building that is at the heart of both American politics and Fox's pop-culture phenomenon, Elliot Yamin will be the next American Idol."

 

[dolphindan1]

Looks like Simon's choice for Katharine is "Over The Rainbow" from the Wizard of Oz. Interesting choice. She could do well with it IF she doesn't try to oversing it like she did "Can't Help Falling in Love".

Here is an interesting article posted on MJ's Big Blog with a different perspective of why Chris was voted out.

NY Post political columnist John Podhoretz analyzes Chris's loss as if it were a failed political campaign. He makes some very interesting points:

"And this is what explains Chris Daughtry's stunning loss this week on "American Idol." He has a distinctive voice and distinctive appeal. The problem is that he never broadened his base very much. If you liked him from the start, you stayed with him - which is why he remained solidly among the top contenders through most of the show's run.

But if you didn't much like his sound when there were still 9 contestants remaining, you weren't suddenly going to decide you liked his sound when there were only 4 remaining.

The key to winning American Idol isn't being overwhelmingly popular in the early stages. The key is having a sound that makes it possible for you to pick up votes from people whose favorites have gotten booted off the show. Because if you don't get those votes, somebody else is going to get them.

Taylor Hicks has a distinctive sound and style that are clearly very pleasing to millions. But I think he's a little like Daughtry. If he's your favorite, he's been your favorite for a long time - and he needs to be the second favorite for McPhee's fans to win.

But McPhee's sound is probably closer to Elliot Yamin's. Thus, according to the logic of coalition-building that is at the heart of both American politics and Fox's pop-culture phenomenon, Elliot Yamin will be the next American Idol."

I hope he is wrong

 

[Jennasis]

The song picks for Taylor are spot on. Katherine's pick, while accurate, is LAME. "Over The Rainbow"?? Come on! I don't think I am familiar with Elliot's song.

We''ll see!

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

I hope he is wrong

Unless Taylor totally tanks this week (and from his song choice and Randy's choice I can't see that happening - still waiting to see what Clive picked), I am having a hard time seeing Elliott taking this over Taylor.


On a funny note - has anyone seen this poll on MSNBC? What Taylor would look like as a redhead I never thought I would say this, but Taylor looks YOUNGER with gray hair than with the Brunette hair they gave him!

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

For Elliott fans - here is a link to an article about his homecoming yesterday here. It was a zoo around town. Lauri said she saw several cars with "Vote for Elliott" signs on them on her way home last night.

Elliott's Homecoming

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

After reading the article there was one thing I was really surprised about. With all of Elliott's health problems, I was shocked to see that he's a smoker. Doesn't he have asthma too?

 

[damo]

Somewhere over the rainbow is a good smiley song for Katharine. Nicely in her range and I'm sure she won't have much memorizing to do. It should avoid the screechiness. I'm surprised Simon didn't pick something a little more bluesy and fun.

 

[dolphindan1]

Somewhere over the rainbow is a good smiley song for Katharine. Nicely in her range and I'm sure she won't have much memorizing to do. It should avoid the screechiness. I'm surprised Simon didn't pick something a little more bluesy and fun.

I think its a great song choice for her and she should do well....as long as she doesnt try and over-sing it like someone else said....but she could knock this out the park

 

[jaimee1024]

The song picks for Taylor are spot on. Katherine's pick, while accurate, is LAME. "Over The Rainbow"?? Come on! I don't think I am familiar with Elliot's song.

We''ll see!

Kimberly Locke did a beautiful job with Over the Rainbow a few years ago. I think it was one of her best performances. I'm hoping that Kat will do a jazzy rendition of it. She has not done well singing ballads all season, so I hope she doesn't try to sing it as a slow ballad. I'd love to hear her do the version with the acoustic guitar...she does better when not trying to out sing the back up band and vocalists.

Elliott's song...wow...haven't heard that song in years, but as soon as I saw the title I started singing it in my head. I think you will remember it when you hear it (unless you're a lot younger than me which may very well be the case! _

Taylor's song...and obvious choice...almost too obvious. The lyrics to the song are SO simple. I'm wondering if Simon just wanted yet another opportunity to compare Taylor to a wedding singer. I hope Taylor brings it next week and surprises Simon!

 

[Mercy]

Well, I think if I had to pick a winner, I would go with Elliott. I think he has a nice voice, something very smooth about it.

However, considering how many people auditioned for AI, I find it hard to believe that the ones who made it to the top 12, say, are the best this country has to offer. I think all the voices/performances have been pretty average. Even at this stage in the game, they make mistakes, sing off key, etc.

 

[damo]

Rumoured Clive choices:
Kat is "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face"
For Taylor is "Hurt so Good"

I haven't heard and rumours for Elliott yet.

 

[Mercy]

However, considering how many people auditioned for AI, I find it hard to believe that the ones who made it to the top 12, say, are the best this country has to offer. I think all the voices/performances have been pretty average. Even at this stage in the game, they make mistakes, sing off key, etc.

Ok, I'm quoting myself here....

DAMO, DAMO, DAMO.... I just clicked on your link to Canadian Idol 2004 Kalan Porter and listened.... NOW THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKIN ABOUT!!! That young man has an amazing voice!!! Please tell me he won!!

 

[damo]

Ok, I'm quoting myself here....

DAMO, DAMO, DAMO.... I just clicked on your link to Canadian Idol 2004 Kalan Porter and listened.... NOW THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKIN ABOUT!!! That young man has an amazing voice!!! Please tell me he won!!

He did!!!

 

[WDWNewbie]

Yes, Kalan Porter won--his voice is AMAZING! Not only can he sing ballads, but he can rock! Didn't he do a fabulous 'Born to be Wild?' or the Stones 'Satisfaction'?

The top 6 from that particular series, IMHO were just incredible. That was probably my fav idol series ever.

I remember the night they did Gordon Lightfoot theme and I thought it would be a yawner. All of them played instruments on that show and the way they sang the songs gave me chills. What a talented bunch! I wish I had taped it!

(sorry to get off topic...)

I'd love to see Elliott and Taylor in the final 2!

 

[Mercy]

Yes, Kalan Porter won--his voice is AMAZING! Not only can he sing ballads, but he can rock! Didn't he do a fabulous 'Born to be Wild?' or the stones 'Satisfaction'?

The top 6 from that particular series, IMHO was just incredible. That was probalby my fav idol series ever.

I remember the night they did Gordon Lightfoot theme and I thought it would be a yawner. All of them played instruments on that show and the way they sang the songs gave me chills. What a talented bunch! I wish I had taped it!

(sorry to get off topic...)

I'd love to see Elliott and Taylor in the final 2!

That's what I'm saying... do you think that anyone in the top 12 AI contestants were anywhere near the talent of Kalan Porter? I don't think so, and I only saw the two clips on DAMO's post. I can't believe that the contestants they chose were the "best" America has to offer. I think they were/are fair at best.

 

[Sandy22]

Many people are shocked over this but I'm thinking what might have happened is that Kat got a lot of former Paris voters and Chris didn't.

I'm guessing Paris voters are voting for Elliot and not Kat. It will be interesting to see who will get the Chris votes. My guess is that they'll also go to Elliot since so many Chris supporters think Kat should have gone home instead.

 

[Sandy22]

Somewhere over the rainbow is a good smiley song for Katharine. Nicely in her range and I'm sure she won't have much memorizing to do. It should avoid the screechiness. I'm surprised Simon didn't pick something a little more bluesy and fun.

I hope she takes the song and makes it her own - jazzes it up a bit. I think she'll be boring if she just straight sings it.