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

[phorsenuf]

I don't think it was fair for Randy to criticize song choice when it came to Katharine's last song. I swear that man is about as eloquent as a two year old with a speech impediment. He knew she didn't have any choice about that song, but yet that was all he could think of to say. If I had one AI wish, I would wish for both Randy and Paula to be replaced by judges who know how to SPEAK.

I think a true talent of any singer is to be able to take a song (good or bad) and do something with it. I think she could have made it "her own" if she wanted. You could tell she wasn't thrilled while singing it so all the more reason to sing it your way.
Taylors song was no gem either but he made it a better song by adding his style to it. To me that makes the difference.

Does that all make sense? Its early and my mind is still a littled jumbled in getting my thoughts out. LOL

 

[Nancy]

I don't think it was fair for Randy to criticize song choice when it came to Katharine's last song. I swear that man is about as eloquent as a two year old with a speech impediment. He knew she didn't have any choice about that song, but yet that was all he could think of to say. If I had one AI wish, I would wish for both Randy and Paula to be replaced by judges who know how to SPEAK.

Randy has been very critical of Katharine for the last few weeks. I don't think she can do anything good in his eyes (ears). Even her SOTR he had to throw in a snide little comment about how he felt when he heard she was singing the same song...excuse me Randy, but they both sang songs they sang once already. Taylor's Levon was not good at all for me. But I have to admit I don't like the song so that may have clouded my judgement. Their final song...yuck. Katharine...it was way to low for her and I don't think she could compensate for it. She looked very uncomfortable with it. Taylors song was better, but the beginning was just so so. Both of them seemed to be in the wrong key for their voices.

I could not get through hardly at all for Katharine, only twice from 10:30 till the calls ended.

 

[Clumsy]

American Idol REALLY needs to get a new songwriter - those new songs were just plain horrible! Unless..maybe the plan is to see what each singer can do with a stupid, boring song? There is no way I would buy a CD from anyone if the songs were bad, no matter who puts it out!

I have to agree. I did not care for those new songs either. They were very drab & boring .

Anyway, I hope Taylor takes the crown tonight!!! He's done a great job all thru the competition and was never in the bottom. Still think a Chris/Taylor finale would've been better.

 

[mcr5298]

I am a Kat fan, and I didn't think that she had much of a chance going into last night anyway. Taylor is a more exciting performer (not that I think that he has a better voice). He just makes it look fun. I think that Kat is trying to hard. The talent is there, and it can be brought out by the right song. Unfortunately, her best songs were her most recent, so it seemed like she was playing it safe. And I wish that she had done Black Horse in a Cherry Tree on her knees like the last time. It seems like she was taking the criticism of being on the floor to heart and it hurt her. She should have said to heck with what they say, I'm going to do it my way.

I hope that tonight is a more exciting show than last night!

Early and premature congratulations to Taylor!

Also, I tried voting for Kat for 3 hours and gave up since I didn't get through once!

Ah well, life will go back to normal in a couple of days. I'll get over it while I'm walking down Main Street in the Magic Kingdom on Sunday!

 

[lillygator]

actually I still think it's anyone's game...you just never know what's going to happen. I mean look at the Chris week!

I called and called and called last night only to hear ringing and then "we're sorry, all circuits are busy" - very frustrating and I am sure a ton of votes were lost for both parties because of that. Could you imagine the old days when operators would be "patching" people through?

 

[damo]

Just read this and I hope it isn't true but I have seen it on a few trusty boards,"Bucky will be singing B.J. Thomas' "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head," and Kevin Covais will be doing Tom Jones' "What's New Pussycat." with Burt Bacharach on the piano. Dionne Warwick will sing "That's what friends are for"

Why???????????? Has this show totally lost its mind????? A Burt Bacharach medley??? Sheesh.

 

[wvrevy]

My quick (or...well...not so much ) rundown of last night:

Round 1

Kat - I much prefered her first version of this song. Plus, as I mentioned during the show, I honestly think that her nerves got to her a little bit, and she was afraid to overreach and take any chances with it. Not really a bad performance, but a long way from the greatness I think she needed to pull out the win.

Taylor - As I said last night, this wasn't my favorite of Taylor's performances, but it was still pretty good. I've certainly heard him do better, but I think the nerves might have gotten to him a little bit, too.

Round One Goes To: Taylor Hicks

Round 2

Kat - Randy Jackson is an idiot. She is incredible singing this song, and - while I wasn't quite as impressed as I would have been had I not heard her do it before - this was probably the performance of the night.

Taylor - When he first started, I was prepared to be blown away by his performance. This song should start off somewhat subdued and build into a powerful conclusion. He started off perfect...and then never really built to anything. Hardly a bad performance, but not as good as it should have been, either.

Round Two Goes To: Katherine McPhee

Round 3

Kat - Ugh! Why on earth don't they get some competant writers to put something together for these contestants?!? That song was just horrible. Kat could have sang her heart out, and she still couldn't have made anything out of that.

Taylor - Not much better, but not quite as crappy as the song they stuck Kat with. But the fact that he did "make it his own" in a way that only Taylor seems to be able to do, I have to say...

Round Three Goes To: Taylor Hicks

I didn't actually vote last night, as I really like both of the remaining contestants and don't much care which one wins. I kind of lean to wanting Kat to win, just to spite the viscious jerks that have been slamming her for no real reason on all the message boards (well, no reason other than she lasted longer than their favorites), but won't mind at all if Taylor wins, as I think he is probably the best of the bunch this year.

Here's hoping the finale tonight is better than the show last night was, as I was distinctly underwhelmed by the whole thing. Kat's SOTR was probably the best performance of the night, and she was better (IMO) with it last time. Still, Taylor was probably better overall, and I think he wins this thing, regardless. That was my prediction the day Chris was voted off (not because I thought Chris was better, just that he had the potential to draw a large voting fanbase to compete with the Soul Patrol crowd), and I'm sticking with that prediction.

 

[Figment22]

I do agree, however, that there really wasn't a need for judges last night. Everyone knew who they were voting for and the judges pretty much just got in the way.

I think so too. It really doesn't matter what songs they sing for the final night. I'm sure everyone's already made up their mind whom they're voting for. Honestly, was anyone's mind changed at all last night? I went into the final knowing I was going to vote for Taylor based on the entire AI season's performances. No matter how great Katharine may have been, there was no way I was voting for her and I'm sure Katharine's fans felt the same way; there was no way they were going to vote for Taylor. I wish that each of them could have sung one new song instead of two retreads. It just would have made for a better show. (I'm not even counting that Idol song. What dreck!!!)

Looking forward to the finale tonight. I want to hear Mandisa again. And Bucky. And Lisa. And Melissa. Which goes to show that it's actually been a very good season.

 

[Dodie]

Just wanted to say that I tried for over 1-1/2 hours to vote for Taylor and didn't get through a single time. I hope that's good news, but will feel terrible if he doesn't win - thinking it's my fault.

 

[ShuisFan584]

Didn't Clay sing Bridge over Troubled Water and was absolutely amazing? I think you are right that he sand Here, There and Everywhere too. I just remember Bridge over Troubled Water being amazing.

Yup I realized I lied right after I posted. The week that there were 3 left he sang Mack the Knife as Paula's choice, Vincent as the random song out of the hat (which was definitely not random) and Unchained Melody as his choice. Then the week of the finale he sang This is the Night first, then Here, There and Everywhere, and as the last song of the night he sang Bridge Over Trouble Water (which by the way was the most amazing performance of the season!)

 

[Robinrs]

I LOOOVED last night's show. EXCEPT the song written for Kat. That was an insult. The song was boring and horrible. She has no lower register and it was showcased in that horrendous song.

I, unlike the others who posted previously, LOVED Taylor's song. I played it over and over after the show was off last night. I actually cried and sang it to my Mom, who I've always lived to make proud. It has always mattered to me but I realized years ago it doesn't matter to most people.

I don't think last night was a fair competition. The difference between a 21yo and a 29yo is a lifetime. He is by far the pro. She has a few more years to become a pro. There really was no match like a Taylor/Chris match would've been, this was another Fantasia/Degarmo debacle.

Sorry that the competition is over, I truly enjoyed it.

 

[marymrg]

I believe that Taylor will win this competition tonight and he should. From “You’ll never get voted through to Hollywood” to this year’s American Idol, ain’t life grand?!

I think overall, Taylor has been able to capture the audience with his style and Taylorizing whatever song he sings. (I agree with Randy)

IMHO, Kat has had moments of greatness but hasn't been able to "McPheever" all of hers. I do believe she has a beautiful voice but needs to really define who she is. I think when she does, she will shine with confidence.

I hadn't voted this whole season until last night and was able to get a few votes in for Taylor at the beginning.

Although Taylor should win, I am not discounting that Kat could pull it off. I just wonder where Elliott's votes will go? More to Taylor or more to Kat?

I would just like to add what a different show last night would've been if it were a Chris/Taylor showdown. They were my top picks from the beginning along with Kat and Mandissa.

Overall, I really enjoyed the season this year.

 

[MELSMICE]

Also, I tried voting for Kat for 3 hours and gave up since I didn't get through once!

We got through about 20-25 times for Kat in about 1 1/2 hours worth of time.

As someone else said, I think Kat is more "moldable" for an AI winner. I can't picture anyone telling Taylor what he should or shouldn't do. Also, JMO, but I think Kat wants it more & Taylor just expects that he'll win.

(Again - that's JMO - don't flame me!!!)

 

[Figment22]

I kept calling for Taylor on #06 from about 9:15 p.m. through 10:45 p.m. and I'd say I managed to get through about 20 times. It got MUCH easier around 10:35 p.m.

 

[jaimee1024]

I'm so excited! I just found out that the AI tour is coming to my area on September 15. The tickets are going on sale tomorrow...there is no pre sale at this venue (I tried). I know what I'll be doing tomorrow!!

I hope Taylor wins tonight! I'm looking forward to the show.

 

[Ranatra]

He started off perfect...and then never really built to anything.

MTE
I love this song (Levon) and was was waiting to hear him sing it, but
I was disappointed, Was expecting something better

 

[Planogirl]

Just read this and I hope it isn't true but I have seen it on a few trusty boards,"Bucky will be singing B.J. Thomas' "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head," and Kevin Covais will be doing Tom Jones' "What's New Pussycat." with Burt Bacharach on the piano. Dionne Warwick will sing "That's what friends are for"

Why???????????? Has this show totally lost its mind????? A Burt Bacharach medley??? Sheesh.

This show has been lost somewhere in the cosmos all season IMO. This nonsense sounds good for a laugh and not much else.

 

[JBurke]

All I have to say is Thank God my favorite Chris got voted off 2 weeks ago. I would have died if I had to hear my man sing one of those crappy original songs.

Please AI-fire those song writers!
How many songs so we need about heroes, rainbows and puppy dogs???

No real suspense for tonight-congrats to Taylor. The only reason I am watching is to see the voted off Idols performances.

I hope they are not all singing Burt Barf-alot (or whatever his name is) songs. This is 2006, right??

 

[emmabelle]

Those original song writers should be shot.

I'm not a huge fan of either Taylor or Kat (Chris fan ) but I thought it was kind of lousy that Simon predicted Taylor to win the competition at the end of the show, that must have made Kat feel really great.

 

[damo]

All I have to say is Thank God my favorite Chris got voted off 2 weeks ago. I would have died if I had to hear my man sing one of those crappy original songs.

Please AI-fire those song writers!
How many songs so we need about heroes, rainbows and puppy dogs???

No real suspense for tonight-congrats to Taylor. The only reason I am watching is to see the voted off Idols performances.

I hope they are not all singing Burt Barf-alot (or whatever his name is) songs. This is 2006, right??

Here is an blurb from USA Today on how they choose the final songs. They actually started with over 150...and these were the best??????

"Idol executives have mulled over more than 150 potential singles since January, narrowing the choices in recent weeks to match the remaining competitors, says 19 Entertainment's Iain Pirie, who oversees the process. The song has to work as a climactic moment on the show but also be something that potential music buyers want to keep listening to, he says.

The song needs to be "appropriate to whoever the artists are in the finale," Pirie says. "Lyrically, it has to reflect certain things, (including) the emotional journey the person has gone through."

But maybe the tunes didn't hit their marks this time: Tuesday night, several judges said the singers were better than the songs.

At the start of the process, some songwriters are asked for submissions; others come unsolicited. Tinkering occurs. In some cases Idol TV and recording execs, who collaborate on the choice, may like the music but want new lyrics, or vice versa, he says.

For Katharine, executives chose a ballad with a strong melody. Taylor's soulful sound influenced his pick, Pirie says.

Songwriters are Harry Sommerdahl, Hanne Sorvag and Tim Baxter for My Destiny, and Tracy Ackerman and Absolute for Do I Make You Proud.

As Idol has grown to become TV's No. 1 show and a national phenomenon, more top songwriters, such as Diane Warren and Desmond Child, have been part of the Idol song mix, Pirie says. Idol showcases writers' work before an audience of 30 million or more."