Offical American Idol Discussion Thread

[grinningghost]

I think we all need to accept that AI isn't just about singing. As I've said in the past, singers like Britney Spears aren't necessarily good singers, but they attract fans despite that. Looks, stage presence, personality, whatever - it all attracts fans. You can't say that an 8 year old girl who loves Britney Spears is an expert on vocal technique, yet that same 8 year old would tell you Britney is a GREAT singer.

Perhaps that's what's going on with JS. People LIKE him - or he wouldn't be getting votes. Why can't we just leave it alone?

 

[kimmar067]

Whew! FINALLY JS [aka "Red"] is getting the boot!

Wednesday: 8:49PM ~
WHA-A-A-A-A-T?!?!?!! Am I seeing this correctly?? LaToya, Fantasia, AND Jennifer are in the BOTTOM THREE?!?!?!?! Who ARE these people voting for AI??? Definitely NOT the ones listening to the contestants singing the night before!! Wow, what a difference a day makes!!

and, what sgtdisney said!

 

[kimmar067]

Originally posted by grinningghost
I think we all need to accept that AI isn't just about singing. As I've said in the past, singers like Britney Spears aren't necessarily good singers, but they attract fans despite that. Looks, stage presence, personality, whatever - it all attracts fans. You can't say that an 8 year old girl who loves Britney Spears is an expert on vocal technique, yet that same 8 year old would tell you Britney is a GREAT singer.

Perhaps that's what's going on with JS. People LIKE him - or he wouldn't be getting votes. Why can't we just leave it alone?

Don't FLAME me for this bu-u-u-u-t:
JS has the stage presence of a used Q-tip!! Sure, he seems like likeable guy, but c'mon, he obviously can't sing as well as the other finalists, he CAN'T dance, and he's usually expressionless, emotionless, whatever....WHAT JUSTIFIES HIM TO STILL BE ON THE SHOW?????

 

[elgerber]

Originally posted by kimmar067
Don't FLAME me for this bu-u-u-u-t:
JS has the stage presence of a used Q-tip!! Sure, he seems like likeable guy, but c'mon, he obviously can't sing as well as the other finalists, he CAN'T dance, and he's usually expressionless, emotionless, whatever....WHAT JUSTIFIES HIM TO STILL BE ON THE SHOW?????

ROFL, this cracked me up!!!!!!!!!

Erika

 

[CookieGVB]

The same thing that justifed JPL to stay as long as he did - people are voting for him.

If you ain't voting, don't complain.

They had Ruben in the bottom 3 one week, and I think it was a wake-up call to people that they can't just sit back and expect their favorite to win without putting forth the effort. If you care who wins, then vote. If you don't vote and don't care, don't act surprised when someone you don't like keeps staying there.

 

[minniecarousel]

No flaming - but what justifies his still being on the show is that people are voting for him! Plain & simple!

(& no, I didn't vote for John this week - I have in the past, but since he didn't blow me away with a Barry Manilow song - he won't get any more votes from me.)

 

[sgtdisney]

I am glad to see some people agree with me!

People keep mentioning Britany Spears. I agree, she is really not a very good singer in reality. However she is a consumate entertainer and while her strength isn't in her voice she does have quite a lot of talent. Some of these contestants that are continuing on AI aren't talented singers OR performers. Their main draw is they are soooo cute.

Maybe AI isn't a talent competition, but then they shouldn't promote it as one either. At least the judges seem to finally see the reality of it this year.

 

[babar]

just had to say, i never vote and don't really who cares who wins or loses, but about John Stevens....i could sit and close my eyes and listen to his voice croon all day long!!! he's smooth and just needs the right kind of songs. maybe he's not good for American Idol, but the music they want is more R&B/adult contemporary and he's not that. (thank god) I can see him selling albums for lounge type music, you know....swinging bachelor pad type music!!!!

He needs a few more years on him, but he's got a beautiful, smooth voice.

I can't understand how people think he can't sing.

 

[Oh Kay!]

I was half asleep last night when Geroge was told that he went to the wrong group. That had me sit up. I was surprised but not particularly offended. I thought it made for a good TV though.

If the producers are not happy with the result last night, they must take a big part of the blame. Afterall, they chose to "hide" the good singers until the elimination rounds. During the audition, they chose to feature JS, JPL, George over Fantasia, Jennifer, and LaToya. I think a lot of people chose their favorites early on, and the three Divas were hurt by not being promoted more during the audition.

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by babar
just had to say, i never vote and don't really who cares who wins or loses, but about John Stevens....i could sit and close my eyes and listen to his voice croon all day long!!! he's smooth and just needs the right kind of songs. maybe he's not good for American Idol, but the music they want is more R&B/adult contemporary and he's not that. (thank god) I can see him selling albums for lounge type music, you know....swinging bachelor pad type music!!!!

He needs a few more years on him, but he's got a beautiful, smooth voice.

I can't understand how people think he can't sing.

ITA!!!

He has an amazingly wonderful voice. He may not be able to sing all kinds of songs but he can certainly sing Big Band music like Harry Connick Jr or Dean Martin. I think his voice is unique and that is why I like him.

Although La Toya has been consistant and can sing almost anything, IMHO her voice is nothing spectacular or special. There's nothing unique about it. I wouldn't recongnize it if I heard it on the radio.

The only other one with a unique voice that you might recongnize on the radio is Fantasia BUT I DON'T LIKE IT!!! It drives me crazy.

He's only 16 and wet behind the ears. He 'may' not be ready but that AIs fault for letting the age limit be 16. I think in a couple years or with the right music and music coach, he'll be amazing and memorable. IMHO

 

[madonna31]

They had Ruben in the bottom 3 one week, and I think it was a wake-up call to people that they can't just sit back and expect their favorite to win without putting forth the effort.

Nah...Ruben was in the bottom 3 because he sucks.

One would say his 'lack of album sales' only proves this.

The only past AI contestants to never appear in the bottom 3? Kelly and Clay.

Edited to add: I with the above poster; I would LOVE to hear JS sing "Somewhere...Beyond the Sea" from Nemo.

 

[Kirby]

If the producers are not happy with the result last night, they must take a big part of the blame. Afterall, they chose to "hide" the good singers until the elimination rounds. During the audition, they chose to feature JS, JPL, George over Fantasia, Jennifer, and LaToya. I think a lot of people chose their favorites early on, and the three Divas were hurt by not being promoted more during the audition.

I could agree with that. And what about the original tryouts? I can see needing to have to go before a panel for approval before trying out for Randy, Paula and Simon. But how much talent was turned away because they wanted "bad" singers to try out before the judges too? And look at who was turned away in the wild card show, Marque and Lisa. They had good voices too, better than some who were kept but were turned away because of image. Marque was too "Broadway" and I don't remember what was said about Lisa. Well, wasn't Clay supposedly "too Broadway" also?

I've had an on again, off again like for Jennifer and do not think that she should have been voted off last night. I really like Fantasia but didn't care for her rendition of the song she sang. But of the two, I was hoping that Jennifer would have been safe just because I know that we'll be hearing from Fantasia no matter how far she goes.

 

[cats mom]

Talent or popularity contest?

I find it interesting that the judges were all up in arms last night and saying that people should be voting for talent.

Last year I remember Simon in particular telling Clay that he may well be the best singer they had seen, but that he did not think he was 'idol' material. In fact, early on in the competition I think he made similar comments to Rueben.

Wasn't there a bit of an issue about Kelly Clarksons' weight as well? (Although I personally think she looks great - I'm not a big fan of the wafer thin images promoted by the fashion magazines)

Did the fact that the votes went to them anyway change the competition somewhat?

I may be way off - but I think there was more of an 'image' focus early on and this season they are saying vocal talent should be the biggest determining factor as to who wins.

I think it has to be a combination.

 

[CookieGVB]

Maybe next season they'll lighten up on showing so many of the bad singers, and actually concentrate on finding the good ones. Imagine that, though? William Hung actually released a CD before any of these other folks.

Talk about people's perception being skewed! :confused2

 

[Lucky4me]

You'd think one of these weeks John would step up to the plate after America has spared him. But no, it's the same old timid singing and scared to death look on his face. Honestly I'd like to see him get up there and belt one out. I'm sure he's capable if he'd just relax and put his mind into it. If I were him I'd be thinking this way instead of "oh my-I should have been voted off not her." Just because of this I believe he doesn't belong up there.

 

[damo]

Did anyone pay attention to the bottom three last night? I rewatched the show and it was very interesting.

La Toya waved George over when he was told to go with the top group. When the group was told that they were in fact the bottom three, Fantasia started to laugh and then applauded heartily the top four. La Toya also applauded heartily the top four. Jennifer did nothing. She stood there with her mouth open and offered no congratulations to the other contestants. That is not an "idol" quality. Perhaps she was a better singer than some of the others but the word "idol" incapsulates more than talent.

Then look at the other contestants who have been continually bashed by the judges. Their responses are much more consistent with what an "idol" should be.

This is not American Pop Star, this is American Idol.

 

[elgerber]

Originally posted by damo
Did anyone pay attention to the bottom three last night? I rewatched the show and it was very interesting.

La Toya waved George over when he was told to go with the top group. When the group was told that they were in fact the bottom three, Fantasia started to laugh and then applauded heartily the top four. La Toya also applauded heartily the top four. Jennifer did nothing. She stood there with her mouth open and offered no congratulations to the other contestants. That is not an "idol" quality. Perhaps she was a better singer than some of the others but the word "idol" incapsulates more than talent.

I noticed that when I watched it. I thought it was rather nervy of LaToya to wave him over, assuming it was her, but she was gracious after that. Fantasia's reaction was great, she just busted out laughing. I saw Jennifers jaw drop, which she should probably not have done. That said though, I think she has way too much talent to have left so early.

Erika

 

[Robinrs]

I like JS but those of you who do think he can sing must've forgotten about that song he sang totally off key and flat. Something like that is not a matter of opinion but a matter of fact.
I felt so bad for him that night, my heart literally broke listening to him and knowing that he was oblivious to it because he never once tried to fix it. 16 or not, I was 16 when I graduated from high school and I KNEW when I was singing flat.

John knows he's a target like Camille did. I think the fact that he keeps getting voted back in actually hurts him, at least by the look in his eyes.

This competition is getting harder and harder to predict or watch.

 

[phisigprincess]

I figured out another reason I don't understand JS popularity. He acts like he shouldn't be there! He give off the impression that he himself doesn't feel confident and he shouldn't be there. I'm nervous he may get swallowed up by the music industry. Perhaps he's too naive.... ?

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

A couple of previous posts mentioned that the producers were not happy with the voting results. I have to disagree -- they are probably walking on Cloud 9!!!

With the controversy the voting created during this weeks show they know even more people will watch next weeks show. What we need to remember is that AI is only one thing: a cash cow for the producers and the network. Everyone keeps arguing about whats fair and unfair when the truth is the powers that be @ AI really don't care who wins as long as John Q. Public keeps tuning in to watch those commercials. Oh yea -- don't forget to run out and buy the cds too.

Now, let me step off my soapbox before someone knocks me off, and say that I admire every one of the contestants. They have a grueling schedule, have been separated from their families, and have to stand up in front of millions of strangers and have their every move scrutinized (while maintaining a brilliant smile). Kudos to them all -- I know I wouldn't have even lasted a day under those conditions!!!