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

[cats mom]

OK have to add my 2¢ worth.

I scanned through and I think my opinions about the actual vocal performances have been made several times over - down side of taping and watching the next day.

So I'm going the catty route.
Disregard the following if you're one of the folks who think it should be about vocal talent only.

I hate the "comfort zone" comments the judges are always making. They knock Bucky for playing it safe in his "comfort zone" but praise Chris for knowing his strengths by doing the Red Hot Chili Peppers version of a Stevie Wonder song?

ITA!
Are you kidding me, anything Bucky did on Stevie Wonder night was out of his comfort zone.
I really enjoyed Chris - but praising him for making the song his own?

I thought Lisa really tried to take the judges comments about going younger to heart (within the framework of SW night) and was a bit surprised no one commented on that.

While I like the idea of cleaning Bucky's hair up a bit - the beauty salon look just did NOT do it for me.

Paris singing her answers drove me crazy!

Have NEVER liked Kevin and last night did nothing to change my mind.

 

[Figment22]

Memo to America:
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE send Kevin Covais home tonight!!!

As I was watching the show last night, it occured to me that I am going to miss all of the contestants once they're gone (except Kevin, Bye Bye). The line up this year is deep in talent and diversity. They all bring a different quality that I like!

This is exactly how I feel. Get rid of Kevin and there's at least something that I enjoy about each of the remaining 11 contestants.

Mandisa is a wonderful singer but I can't get over her weight. I know that is wrong but she isn't just a "little" heavy. I was actually uncomfortable watching her perform with no shoes on last night, it made her performance unappealing.

I disagree. I actually found it endearing. High heels are meant to show off great legs, which Mandisa knows she doesn't have. I think it was great that she made herself comfortable. I love watching her and I thought she looked great last night. BTW, does Mandisa have a last name?????

I've loved him since the beginning but REALLY fell for him when he played that harmonica in that last meeting with the judges when they told him he was in the top 24! Everyone else was so intimidated, he just did Taylor like no one else can!

I loved it last night when Paula said to Taylor, "What's in your hand?" and Taylor got kind of coy and said, "My harmonica", kind of like his security blanket! He's just so natural. I love him. For the past couple of weeks, I truly have just been enjoying 5 or 6 of the contestants immensely and hadn't picked out my single favorite but I sat down and put the contestants in the order that I'd like to see them voted off and when I got down to my final three (Chris, Mandisa and Taylor) I realized that I don't want to see Taylor go home EVER!

This is how I want them to be eliminated:
1. Kevin Covais - TONIGHT, PLEASE!
2. Katherine McPhee - There's just something about her that doesn't sit right with me, although she performed quite well last night.
3. Paris Bennett - Better last night but has never lived up to her original potential.
4. Melissa McGhee - I like her but she's certainly not going to win it all.
5. Elliott Yamin - Great voice but IMO quirky song choices and I just can't get past his look.
6. Kellie Pickler - Midway sounds about right to me.
7. Ace Young - Keeping Ace around for his looks. He had more vocal potential but has been disappointing for a couple of weeks now.
8. Bucky Covington - Bucky has really grown on me, and I hope on the rest of America too!
9. Lisa Tucker - Great voice. Finally showed some of original potential last night. She's one of my favorites, but I don't think she has the fan base to make it as far as I'd like her to.
10. Mandisa - I LOVE HER! I go back and forth between having her as my 2nd and 3rd favorite between Mandisa and Chris.
11. Chris Daughtry - Great, great, great. Knows exactly what he is and doesn't deviate. He's a rocker and despite what someone said earlier, he SHOULD continue to make rock choices only as much as he possibly can.
12. Taylor Hicks - At first glance we all must have thought, yeah, he's got something, but can he really be the next American Idol? YES!!!

 

[Michelle2]

I'm not sure about Kellie. I think she's mostly for real, but she can carry the ditziness too far. She really doesn't want to seem too stupid. Besides, she's not as good as I originally thought she would be.

I don't see Kevin as being cocky. I see him knowing that he's not going to last long and just having as much fun as he can while he can.

Someone mentioned starting to despise Paris. I wouldn't say I despise her, but there is something about her that is starting to get on my nerves. Not sure what it is, though.

Mandisa needs to stop trying to be like the skinny girls. While I enjoy her singing, I found myself distracted by her dancing. She's a big girl and doesn't need to bring attention to herself by gyrating all over the stage. I'm not saying she can't dance or shouldn't. But, I think she'd come across more strongly by just standing in one place and singing her heart out. She already has a striking presence and a big voice. I'd like to see her concentrate on a more elegant presentation.

And, Chris. What can I say? Perfection. I believe he's going to be the winner this year.

Wow are we twins??? I thought about everything you did. About Kellie, I am starting to think she is not that great of a singer, and is going almost entirely on the "likability factor" and for me, I am not crazy about it, because it could interfere with others...kinda like the Scott thing last year...

I thought the same about Kevin and Mandisa, and I think with Paris, for my DH anyways, its her talking that is so odd....kinda like that one lady on the Police Academy movies???

And I really wish with all my heart that Chris would win, but seeing all the positive response to Taylor, he seems to be the BIG favorite. I like him too, don't get me wrong. I think it would make my AI year if the final showdown was between Chris and Taylor. Then I would be happy with whoever wins!

 

[MrsMud]

If DialIdol.com is correct then I'd be okay with any of the bottom four going home. Although one of them would be somewhat of an upset to some.

The same one who would be an upset (and is in dead last according to the above mentioned website) was also dead last (and by a HUGE margin) according to them last week, and yet she was not even in the bottom 2 girls. Therefore, I really can't put any stock in their statistics.

 

[Michelle2]

Yeah I was noticing the same thing! I don't get it....and to bad too, because I love the spoilers!

 

[dturner]

Memo to America:
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE send Kevin Covais home tonight!!!


This is how I want them to be eliminated:
1. Kevin Covais - TONIGHT, PLEASE!
2. Katherine McPhee - There's just something about her that doesn't sit right with me, although she performed quite well last night.
3. Paris Bennett - Better last night but has never lived up to her original potential.
4. Melissa McGhee - I like her but she's certainly not going to win it all.
5. Elliott Yamin - Great voice but IMO quirky song choices and I just can't get past his look.
6. Kellie Pickler - Midway sounds about right to me.
7. Ace Young - Keeping Ace around for his looks. He had more vocal potential but has been disappointing for a couple of weeks now.
8. Bucky Covington - Bucky has really grown on me, and I hope on the rest of America too!
9. Lisa Tucker - Great voice. Finally showed some of original potential last night. She's one of my favorites, but I don't think she has the fan base to make it as far as I'd like her to.
10. Mandisa - I LOVE HER! I go back and forth between having her as my 2nd and 3rd favorite between Mandisa and Chris.
11. Chris Daughtry - Great, great, great. Knows exactly what he is and doesn't deviate. He's a rocker and despite what someone said earlier, he SHOULD continue to make rock choices only as much as he possibly can.
12. Taylor Hicks - At first glance we all must have thought, yeah, he's got something, but can he really be the next American Idol? YES!!!

A big AMEN to what is highlighted!!!!!

Bucky has grown on me since the beginning and he's become my favorite this year along with Chris....................I hope America gets it right tonight or I'll be forced NOT to watch anymore.

 

[cats mom]

Just went to dial idol to check out their predictions and found this:

DialIdol Bulletin (3/15/2006) 6:00PM EST
Goliath (as they will be known for the purposes of this bulletin) sent this "David" a cease and desist letter yesterday claiming that DialIdol infringes on copyrights they own. I am not sure how they think I infringe and many of the allegations they made in the letter are false but in order to protect myself I am taking DialIdol down while I consult with the appropriate resources.
Goliath is very upset with the entire premise of this web site, particularly the way DialIdol "measures the busy signal" to predict the results. Given this I find it highly unlikely that I can change a few logos/colors/names to satisfy their concerns.

Understand that I really am just this one "David" guy with virtually no resources at my disposal to "fight" this Goliath. And by the way I don't even want to fight them - I love Goliath and want to work with them.

As I mentioned I will be consulting the appropriate resources over the next few days. If you'd like to help this David I encourage you to do three things:

Watch the show. Everyone involved in this process is here because we love the show - so watch it! The better the ratings, the better off DialIdol will be.
Email Goliath and let them know you are upset with their decision to shut DialIdol down.
Email me and let me know if you'd be willing to contribute to a legal fund to help David gain a tiny bit of leverage versus Goliath.
Thank you for your support!


Hmmm... interesting.
Guess I'll just have to wait until the results show.

 

[Slacking]

I don't see how Fox can do that to DialIdol. They don't include any images or mp3 or videos from the show.

There are tons of sites out there (theidolshow.com) that have images, videos, mp3s owned by Fox, yet they're not gertting these letters.

Last Year, VFTW was threatened, but all was good after the webmaster removed the images (and sound files) that were owned by Fox.


Ok, I'm off to rewatch last nights performances. I'll be back with MY reviews/rankings. I'm sure they will be radically different than most opinions here.

 

[GoofieRuthie]

I actually find myself angry...and I mean truely LIVID that Kevin is where he is. That's all I can say. Nobody wants to hear my rant and it looks like I'm preaching to the choir. Could someone please take the telephones away from the 9 year old little girls? Or send them to bed or something? What really peeves me is when the judges give him positive comments. They know dang well that he's lousy. Praise God for Simon, the voice of reason. Ok rant done, really.

Wouldn't it be the greatest to see Taylor and Chris in the final 2. No kidding, it would restore my faith in this competition. If that happens, I'm going to throw an Idol party on finale night. Complete with a Kevin dartboard.

AMEN!!!!!! If Kevin doesn't go tonight, I might be tempted to throw something at the tv.

If that party happens, I wanna come!!

 

[Slacking]

I'm pretty sure Kevin isn't going tonight.

Ok, rewatched the performances, and here are MY opinions!

1- Ace: AWFUL! Bad vocals, rushed lyrics, and weird arm movements. Yuk!
2- Kellie: zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Sleep inducing, and very nasally
3- Elliot: Very nice vocals, he just can't pick an interesting song
4- Mandisa: improved on the second viewing. I like her a lot.
5- Bucky: Not bad, he bought himself an extra week or 2 based on this performance
6- Melissa: much better on second viewing. I thoguht she was fantastic, I love the sound of her voice. So, she slipped with a word twice, I can forgive, she was great.
7- Lisa: Leave it to Lisa to sing an uptempo song and still make it boring and unmemorable
8- Kevin: Absolutely hysterical! He is so out of his league, but I enjoy watching him. Tequila!
9- Katharine: Don't understand the Katharine love. It was absolutely hideous.
10- Taylor: It was ok. Don't mind him, but don't like when he lets his dancing interfere with his singing.
11- Paris: ugh, Fantasia Jr.! Intro was great, but when it sped up, she lost me.
12- Chris: Mr. One Note himself. Show us some versatility! I'm sick of him singing the same thing week after week.

Favorites:

Melissa
Kevin
Mandisa

Worst:

Ace
Kellie
Katharine

Who SHOULD go home:

Ace
Kellie
Lisa

Who WILL go home:

Melissa

 

[Robinrs]

Robin, even after all these years, you still crack me up!

Lori

Why thank you, Lori, nice to know the old gal still can crack somebody up~

Hey, whaDDUP with dialidol???? Fox must've lowered the bomb! I can't even find it anymore!

 

[Slacking]

DialIdol is discussed a page or so back.

Fox did file a cease and desist letter, which seems kinda silly to me.

DialIdol is shut down for now because of that.

 

[bicker]

The fact that DialIdol exists (existed) points out what's really wrong with AI voting.

 

[Slacking]

The fact that DialIdol exists (existed) points out what's really wrong with AI voting.

What issue do you have with DialIdol?

I didn't use it myself, but the way I understood it was a program you downloaded, and it let you dial the numbers (not an autodialer like some programs) and then it kept track of the data from everyone who used it.

The data is flawed though since it was such a small sample size, but it was interesting to look at and discuss.

 

[Snow_White]

I don't see how Fox can do that to DialIdol. They don't include any images or mp3 or videos from the show.

There are tons of sites out there (theidolshow.com) that have images, videos, mp3s owned by Fox, yet they're not gertting these letters.

Last Year, VFTW was threatened, but all was good after the webmaster removed the images (and sound files) that were owned by Fox.


Ok, I'm off to rewatch last nights performances. I'll be back with MY reviews/rankings. I'm sure they will be radically different than most opinions here.

The fact is that Fox has more money than DialIdol.com which is all that matters in this case (even if Dial Idol was doing nothing wrong). If Fox wants DialIdol gone, then it WILL be gone. He who has the deeper pockets, wins.

 

[bicker]

The fact that DialIdol exists (existed) points out what's really wrong with AI voting.

What issue do you have with DialIdol?

I think you misread what I wrote.

 

[Robinrs]

DialIdol is discussed a page or so back.

Fox did file a cease and desist letter, which seems kinda silly to me.

DialIdol is shut down for now because of that.

I read the update, I just didn't expect it to be completely DOWN already. I sort of understand Fox's problem with the site and the fact that they CAN is the reason they did. I doubt seriously that they'd waste time in litigation over a little website but they can threaten them.

 

[J.Cooper]

RUMOR


Rumor has it Kellie Pickler is dating Constantine from last years American Idol . Just saw the rumor on t.v. They also reported that America will be shocked at tonights bottom 3.

 

[Slacking]

I think you misread what I wrote.

No, I understood exactly what you wrote. You have a problem with the way AI voting works, and you used Dial Idol as a representation as to what is wrong with the way voting works. So, in reading what you wrote it seems fairly obvious you're not a fan of Dial Idol in the way it relates to how you dislike the whole voting process.

 

[bicker]

No, I understood exactly what you wrote. You have a problem with the way AI voting works, and you used Dial Idol as a representation as to what is wrong with the way voting works. So, in reading what you wrote it seems fairly obvious you're not a fan of Dial Idol in the way it relates to how you dislike the whole voting process.

Uh, no. I don't understand where you're getting that.

If AI voting was actually representative then there wouldn't be any need for DialIdol (in terms of the voting aspect) nor would DialIdol have any means of determining anything, since busy signals wouldn't be relevant.