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

[Am_I_There_Yet]

I really love AI, but last night I was not impressed. I generally think Katherine is a talented singer, but last night was bland for me. However, I never really liked Melissa before, but I think she did really well last night. I love her husky sounding voice. I think that Heather and Brenna should be voted off this week. Also, Paula Abdul always seems like she is "on" something, does anyone else get that impression?

She is acting odd. For the first time I agreed with Simon too. She was acting like a child, hitting and slapping him like that.

 

[Nancyg56]

When she speaks I picture the actress from Police Academy.

So that's where I heard that voice! I could not place it.

 

[cruiserkaren]

I really love AI, but last night I was not impressed. I generally think Katherine is a talented singer, but last night was bland for me. However, I never really liked Melissa before, but I think she did really well last night. I love her husky sounding voice. I think that Heather and Brenna should be voted off this week. Also, Paula Abdul always seems like she is "on" something, does anyone else get that impression?

I think she is definitely on something. What is in those cups anyway? Her eyes last night were totally spacey. Just weird. I almost can't stand to hear her talk anymore. Does she ever complete an acutal sentence?

I couldn't wait to get on here today to read everyone's comments! Last night was a total bore. I didn't like anyone. The guys are way more talented this year. It's really, really too bad about the 6 and 6 rule. Here's a few of my thoughts:

I agree that Lisa is a very talented singer but can she act her age? It seems a bit too polished for me. I'd like to see her get out there in a cute outfit, dance some, and sing something most people would recognize. Sixteen going on sixty!

Heather was really bad. Poor girl. I think she really gave it her best effort, it's just not there.

Brenna, I had been one that wanted her to stay last week so I could see what she really has. Ok, now I've seen it and it's not much! Buh-bye!

Paris, I agree with others. Just not sure about her.

Kellie, I wanted to like her. I almost always root for the underdog. (I am a devoted Bengals fan!) Anyway, and with my mom being a social worker that deals with girls that come from really bad backgrounds, she fit the mold. But I'm just not sure I do. Neither one of her perfomances have been very good. I thought last night was really pretty bad. I guess not compared to the competition of the other girls but outside of AI she'd go nowhere performing like that. I'm also getting tired of the "I'm poor and naive, I can't believe I'm here" routine. I'm sure the other girls can't believe they are here either (well, maybe besides Paris) but we don't have to hear them say it every other sentence! Bottom line, you are here now so show us what you can do!

Can't wait for the guys tonight. It can't get any worse than last night!

 

[DaisyGirlAllTheWay]

I know that some people can be put off with her confidence, but I look at it from a Christian point of view. She said that she has "favor", which for Christians means that we have proven ourselves unto God and therefore, God blesses us greatly. She has been blessed with a beautiful voice from God and she will in no way belittle that by acting as if she isn't talented. She has been raised in a family of strong, confident women and it has trickled down to her. Believing in your talent is a good thing. Now if she said that she was better than everyone else and that they should all just go home now, then I might have an attitude with her. And I too believe that she was going to say that Better doesn't get the play that she deserves. I don't believe for one minute that this girl, who has a famous singer for a grandmother, would insult Better on national television. I also feel that she has an old "soul", which is why she chooses the types of songs that she does. Seeing a 16 year old sing "older" songs isn't the most popular thing for today's society, though. Hopefully she will take the advice and try different types of songs - if she wants to remain in the competition.

amen sister

 

[MrsMud]

I had to write and comment about Paris. When I saw her audition I thought that she was a fantastic singer and a precious girl. She seemed to be so sweet. Each week she seems to get more and more confident and not in a good way. IMO. She is almost as arrogant as Brenna at times. Did anyone else notice that she was about to insult Bette Midler's performance of the song? Ryan asked her why she chose the song. Paris explained about it being her great grandmother's favorite AND she felt like Bette Midler didn't......then Simon interrupted her to comment on the great grandmother/age thing. I thought to myself that she was saved by Simon's interruption because if she had belittled Bette Midler in any way then she would be in trouble!!!!!! Did anyone else notice that at all?

I just wanted to comment that it's funny how people see things different ways. When Simon interrupted her, I assumed she was going to say that "Bette Midler didn't...get the recognition she deserves "(or something to that effect).

ON THE OTHER HAND:

I do agree that Paris doesn't seem so sweet anymore. In addition, although I was very impressed with her in the initial auditions I haven't really been impressed since. In reality, I think if she was really as good as they are making her out to be, she would have had a record deal long before now, with all of her connections.

EDITED TO ADD:
TLHB70: I responded to your post before I read the rest of the thread. It seems that several others have already commented on how they got a different impression. But I wanted to add, don't feel bad at all, no one is flaming you or will flame you, it is just interesting how different people will have different takes on the same thing. Happens all the time.

 

[dturner]

Anyone know any spoilers as to what the guys are singing tonight?????

 

[Planogirl]

Kinnik and Kellie are both frustrating me to no end. I keep feeling like there's a good singer in each one of them that isn't coming out. Maybe I'm wrong but it's hard to categorize these two IMO.

Hopefully, Katherine's lackluster performance was just an aberration and she'll be back next week to do well. Lisa, Mandisa and Ayla will probably improve week by week but I don't know about the rest.

I keep thinking that all of the girls need help with their song choices and delivery. Don't they usually get that? And does anyone else think that the background singers sound really off at times?

 

[damo]

Anyone know any spoilers as to what the guys are singing tonight?????

Highlight to view




David -- The Way you look tonight
Ace -- If You're not the One -- Daniel Bedingfield
Taylor -- Easy -- not sure which artist
Will -- Lady -- Kenny Rogers
Bucky Covington - Garth Brooks, When the Thunder Rolls

 

[jim and meesie]

Lisa, Mandisa and Ayla will probably improve week by week but I don't know about the rest.

I keep thinking that all of the girls need help with their song choices and delivery. Don't they usually get that? And does anyone else think that the background singers sound really off at times?

I love Ayla, (local girl and all) and what is wrong with really wanting something and having so much drive that you keep working until you get it. The judges seem surpised by someone who tries so hard rather than just doing it! The story about having no clue about makeup seems pretty accurate. Every time I have seen her (even just before her school prom last year) she has been completely natural and gorgeous!! Of course you need makeup for TV and she's trying to be more Hollywood but the adorable girl who sings the national Anthem before sporting events is the Ayla I wish everyone else could see!! I want her to sing something really fun so people see that she is really the kid who has come the furthest in this competition. The other thing that people don't get is that although she is accomplished she is still very young and from a pretty sheltered background and to add to her stress, she has to work with a tutor out there in Hollywood to keep up with her Senior Year classes. Help me cheer her on!!!!

 

[jim and meesie]

Interesting local fact on Ayla: her dad is a state senator here in MA and the current lieutenant governor (Healey) has supposedly looked at him as her running mate for the governor's race but she is afraid of how AI might overshadow the race (at least that's what the local Fox station is reporting). Of course both offices denied that. I would think it might help the governor's race (not necessarily help Ayla though!)

I thought that little "news flash" was awfully oportunistic of FOX (Boston) last night. I voted for Scott Brown, Ayla's dad, before I knew Ayla and I will vote for him if he runs for Lt. Governor. Then again he's pretty easy on the eyes too (I'm not that shallow, I agree with him politically). Funny thing, my neighbor (in her mid 60s) is a huge political activist, definitely a public television wonkish type and a Scott Brown fan. My kids told her all about Ayla Brown and now she's not only watching IDOL but she's sending out email updates about Ayla and IDOL to her email list. Politics makes strange bedfellows!

 

[tarmand]

I love Ayla, (local girl and all) and what is wrong with really wanting something and having so much drive that you keep working until you get it. The judges seem surpised by someone who tries so hard rather than just doing it! The story about having no clue about makeup seems pretty accurate. Every time I have seen her (even just before her school prom last year) she has been completely natural and gorgeous!! Of course you need makeup for TV and she's trying to be more Hollywood but the adorable girl who sings the national Anthem before sporting events is the Ayla I wish everyone else could see!! I want her to sing something really fun so people see that she is really the kid who has come the furthest in this competition. The other thing that people don't get is that although she is accomplished she is still very young and from a pretty sheltered background and to add to her stress, she has to work with a tutor out there in Hollywood to keep up with her Senior Year classes. Help me cheer her on!!!!

I think she's great. I'll be rooting for her. I'm not sure if it's nerves, but she really has got to do more to connect with the audience or she might not make it. I really think she has the best voice of all of the girls but she's just not as exciting as some of the others.

 

[lillygator]

Ayla can sing - but there is something about her that rubs me the wrong way....not sure what it is yet, but there is something about her I don't like.

 

[JESW]

Bring on the boys!! The girls were just so boring last night. I am not a Brenna fan, but I was really hoping that last night she would get her act together and really wow us. Didn't happen. Her singing was actually painful to listen to. I still like Lisa the best but I am not sure if she has what it takes to go all the way to the top.

My male favorites are Taylor & Chris. I really hope that one of them wins as they are the two who appear to live and breathe music. I am not sure of everyone elses stories, but for some of them it seems as if Idol is just one stop on their way to something else. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but I prefer someone who really loves what they are doing to win. When I watch Ace I can appreciate his voice, but he plays too much on the female members of the audience - I know that it works, but not what I am looking for.

3 hours until Idol!

Jill

 

[vettechick99]

I like Ayla as well and I'm in awe of her work ethic, but she doesn't have "it". That's the missing ingredient and will hurt her in the end.

Some of them, IMO, do have "it". Paris and Kelly, for example...

 

[damo]

I like Ayla as well and I'm in awe of her work ethic, but she doesn't have "it". That's the missing ingredient and will hurt her in the end.

Some of them, IMO, do have "it". Paris and Kelly, for example...

I never thought Carrie had the "it" factor. Maybe the "it" factor is in the eye of the beholder.

 

[Slacking]

I never thought Carrie had the "it" factor. Maybe the "it" factor is in the eye of the beholder.

Ding Ding Ding!

And IMO, the only girl who has "IT" is Mandisa.

 

[twinkles]

Personally I don't like Kelly. Her voice isn't that great. I would pick Ayla over Kelly. Maybe people don't like Ayla because they feel she is privliged, whereas, Kelly had struggles in her life (this IMO). I feel that story lines pull on the heart strings of voters. None of the girls have "Wowed" me. It's the year of the Guy...Chris or Taylor! That Chris is sooo hot

 

[Sandy V.]

Kellie, I wanted to like her. I almost always root for the underdog. (I am a devoted Bengals fan!) Anyway, and with my mom being a social worker that deals with girls that come from really bad backgrounds, she fit the mold. But I'm just not sure I do. Neither one of her perfomances have been very good. I thought last night was really pretty bad. I guess not compared to the competition of the other girls but outside of AI she'd go nowhere performing like that. I'm also getting tired of the "I'm poor and naive, I can't believe I'm here" routine. I'm sure the other girls can't believe they are here either (well, maybe besides Paris) but we don't have to hear them say it every other sentence! Bottom line, you are here now so show us what you can do!

The bit about trying spinach salad and calamari for the first time was just too much for me. She's from North Carolina - not outermost Mongolia, for pete's sake.

I like Kellie as well, but this "Country Mouse visits the City Mouse" storyline is getting old!!

Slacking - I agree with you; the only female performer that I think has an "it" quality is Mandisa. I wish she'd sing some Aretha; she's got the pipes for it.

 

[Virgo10]

Oh Gawd, if I watch those Taylor Hick's videos again my DH is going to divorce me. But he is JUST SO GOOD!!! Can't wait for tonight.

 

[damo]

Oh Gawd, if I watch those Taylor Hick's videos again my DH is going to divorce me. But he is JUST SO GOOD!!! Can't wait for tonight.

meh

Now, I could watch those Ace videos... (don't even need sound!!!)

The one thing I do like about Idol this year is that I think they found someone for everyone!!!