Idol Thoughts
UPDATE: Felicia Matlosz and I continue the "American Idol" hoopla with a story on the cover of Monday's Life section that details some of the low points of the season. (We promised five low AND high points, but unfortunately our one high point -- David Cook's superb rendition of "Billie Jean" -- got squeezed out of the print edition. But here online, you can easily go back through all our blogs.)
UPDATE 2: Join me right here on the Beehive at 8 p.m. Wednesday for a LIVE BLOGGING EVENT (woo-hoo) as the winner is announced.
I unleash on this season of "American Idol" in my Sunday Spotlight column, but then again, if you've been reading the Beehive blog entries from Felicia Matlosz and me in these recent weeks, you know we've already taken on a flak-jacket mentality toward this mostly disappointing season. (Re-reading all the entries, it's funny how many times we tried to find different ways to say "boring": try "underwhelming," "monotonous," "mediocre," "bland," "flat," "aging," "shaky" -- you get the picture.) The big question in advance for next week's finals, of course, is: Which David is going to triumph? Will the teeny-bopper Archuleta's rabid fan base pull through? Or will Cook's genial rocker appeal -- which is probably broader than his opponent's but not as intense -- take the day?
Up till now, it's been relatively easy predicting the finalists: We all knew that Jason, Syesha and Brooke would go home before the Davids. But now that we're down to D vs. D, who has the advantage? I'm fervently hoping for Mr. Cook, if only because he doesn't remind me of one of the marionette puppets in "The Lonely Goatherd" (thank you very much for that mental image, Heather, which I now can't erase), but there are a lot of teen-age girls out there.
What do you think? And do you agree with Felicia and me that this season has been a yawner?
On the jump: Links to our past "AI" blog entries.
AMERICAN IDOL: It's on! Cook vs. Archuleta
Did you hear that huge, nervous sigh of relief from "American Idol" headquarters? In a season of worrisome declining ratings, the producers at least got the title fight they yearned for: The Battle of the Two Davids.
May 14, 2008
AMERICAN IDOL: It will be a David vs. David showdown
Yes, it will be the finale that "American Idol" producers want -- David Cook vs. David Archuleta. The Innovator vs. The Teeny Bopper. The Growling Rocker vs. The Theme Park Performer.
May 13, 2008
AMERICAN IDOL: Jason Castro trips away
Can "American Idol" producers show us some mercy by axing a week out of this sorry season and just give us the David vs. David finale? Now that Jason Castro split the scene Wednesday -- after nearly 51 million votes were cast -- it seems only fitting to cut to the chase.
May 7, 2008
AMERICAN IDOL: You call Tuesday's mess rock 'n' roll?
After weeks of shaky themes that rattled most finalists' confidence, you would think a rock 'n' roll week would infuse some fun and verve back into this downward spiralling season of "American Idol." No such luck. No such luck. It was a night when usually inventive David Cook -- who should have flourished with a theme set up for him like a fat pitch over home plate -- seemed disinterested and disengaged.
May 7, 2008
AMERICAN IDOL: Can it be? No jive? Brooke's gone? Yes!
Sorry, Brooke White fans. Little Miss Sunshine is gone, and I'm feeling no pain. In fact, as the immortal James Brown put it with gusto, I feel good. In this wacky-bordering-on-dull season of "American Idol," voters Wednesday finally brought some fleeting sanity back to the proceedings. I don't know what happened to Brooke's fan base. Maybe Neil Diamond theme week turned them off. Maybe they thought she was safe and didn't dial in or text in as much as normal. But when Ryan Seacrest said 45 million votes were punched in, compared to 38 million last week, that provided an ample margin to send someone home who deserved to go home.
April 30, 2008
AMERICAN IDOL: Signs of an aging TV phenomenon
While Donald Munro and I have slogged our way through "American Idol" Season 7, I've wondered if we're just self-involved grouches, or if there really are cracks in this monolith's facade. From our view, the performers -- for all the hype that this is the best field ever -- have mostly offered performances ranging from lukewarm to downright hideous.
April 30, 2008
AMERICAN IDOL: Thud, thud, thud to the finish line
It's a bleak "American Idol" night when the highlight for me was watching the commercial for the upcoming "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull." Now that was entertainment: Stars. Action. Energy. Fun. Oh, I digress. Which is easy given the mushy mess most of the Final 5 offered Tuesday. It was so lousy after Round One that Simon Cowell pleaded with these folks to step it up.
April 29, 2008
AMERICAN IDOL: Carly Smithson goes home
When Ryan Seacrest announced Wednesday that golden-throated Carly Smithson was the bottom vote-getter on "American Idol" this week, your first reaction probably was "Whoa, what?!" But, hold on. Was it really a surprise? OK, I know I picked Jason or Brooke White. Both just plain stunk Tuesday night when the contestants tackled the demanding compositions of Andrew Lloyd Webber. Jason destroyed "Memory," a classic song for big-voiced divas. Brooke flatlined on "You Must Love Me."
April 23, 2008
AMERICAN IDOL: When the Webber songs are too big ...
... an "American Idol" contestant will be sunk. This week's challenge sounded daunting from the moment we heard about it: The final 6 had to choose from the formidable songbook of Broadway musical composer Andrew Lloyd Webber. The finalists were definitely thrown out of their comfort zones, as host Ryan Seacrest promised at the top of Tuesday's show. The results ranged from downright dreadful to surprisingly good.
April 22, 2008
AMERICAN IDOL: The tumult continues; Kristy Lee is out
The Michael Johns syndrome continues on "American Idol." Johns made last week's stunning exit. On Wednesday, Kristy Lee Cook -- who lifted her game in recent shows and certainly didn't rank among the worst this week -- was rewarded with the unceremonious heave-ho.
April 16, 2008
AMERICAN IDOL: David Cook steals the show
Mariah Carey may have been the superstar guest on "American Idol" Tuesday, but contestant David Cook stole the show -- again. Before the program, I had wondered how the men could possibly channel the 5-octave diva. But Cook and the guys shined, while the women seemed intimidated by the challenge. Cook took Carey's "Always Be My Baby," flipped it inside out and hurled it out of the AI stratosphere. The audience and judges raved it up.
April 16, 2008
AMERICAN IDOL: a shocker
Michael Johns got the boot. OK, perhaps it's a little much to say that his demise on the show was a real shock. That word should be reserved for the truly surprising and implausible, such as the odds of Paula Abdul delivering 10 cogent sentences in a row. When you're down to the Top 8 contestants on "American Idol," we all know that the electorate is fickle. [Edit]
April 10, 2008
AMERICAN IDOL: An "inspiring" evening falls flat
The Final 8 were supposed to sing songs that inspired them, in keeping with this week's charity theme. It's not a stellar night when I keep jotting down "good, but not great."
April 9, 2008
AMERICAN IDOL: Ramiele bids farewell
The good news Wednesday from "American Idol" is that front-runner David Cook was back on the show -- and safe for another week -- after being treated at a hospital for abnormally high blood pressure. So who got the bad news? Ramiele Malubay. Voters sent her home.
April 2, 2008
AMERICAN IDOL: Drama with David, folly with Dolly
Before we get to thrashing Tuesday's "American Idol" show, reports are out this morning that one of the front-runners, David Cook, was hospitalized afterwards for high blood pressure, treated and released.
April 2, 2008
AMERICAN IDOL: Farewell Chikezie, at least you get to tour
Just as I predicted, Chikezie got the boot Wednesday from "American Idol." Posted by Felicia Matlosz on March 27, 2008
AMERICAN IDOL: The plot finally thickens
Finally, the real players are emerging on this season's "American Idol" -- and cutesy teen fave David Archuleta should be worried. Very worried. David Cook nailed a brilliant finale. Syesha Mercado, at last, brought her "A" game. Even mediocre Kristy Lee Cook used some good, old-fashioned smarts to stay alive in this elimination series. Now if only the other Top 10ers would elevate their stuff. That includes Archuleta and Carly Smithson. Both are blessed with rich, full voices ... but they're psyching themselves out
March 26, 2008
AMERICAN IDOL: It's officially gone bland
I'm going to miss you, Amanda. You were the only authentic personality on "American Idol," a rebel in a field of bland, vanilla, overly earnest, straining-too-hard contestants. Miss Overmyer, you were fearless and stayed true to yourself. And America thanks you by keeping the cute, wholesome, tone deaf chick with the long legs. Go figure.
March 20, 2008
AMERICAN IDOL: Underwhelming and mediocre
I can't remember the last time I've been so disappointed in an "American Idol" segment as I was Tuesday night. Was a second turn with the Lennon/McCartney songbook, plus the rest of The Beatles' oeuvre, that daunting? And when did this show turn into "Whining Explanations Central"?
March 19, 2008
AMERICAN IDOL: The stripper gets tripped
"American Idol" voters this week made it clear that they want their entertainers wholesome and not skanky. How else can you explain how Kristy Lee Cook and her horrifying version of "Eight Days a Week" survived the cut, and David Hernandez was sent home? I gotta think his former career as a stripper did him in. OK, he was one of the weaker singers this week, but come on folks. Did you hear Kristy's singing?
March 13, 2008
AMERICAN IDOL: The Top 12 need to step it up
The increasingly incomprehensible Paula Abdul keeps telling us that this year's "American Idol" Top 12 are the best field the show has ever had, culled from the strongest ever crop of wannabes. Excuse me, are her ears as messed up as her mind? Tuesday night's show was a slipshod affair.
March 12, 2008
Comments:
Donald, I had NO idea how much we wrote about AI this season ... streams and streams of trying to make sense of a nonsensical season. You're right about finding different verbage to write "bad" and "stinks" all the time. I know you have to shoulder the load solo next week but, look at it this way, don't you want to see this through to the end? Won't that be a badge of honor? Like writhing through a root canal, hoping the Novocaine doesn't wear off as you determinedly hang on until the dentist is done? Yeah, pain like that. Hey, you won't be alone. Millions of people still watch the show. Personally, I'm pulling for David Cook. He's light years beyond Archuleta. Good luck!
Posted by: felicia matlosz at May 16, 2008 5:11 PM
As Simon would say about your blogs:
"Not to be rude, but it was like reading braille off a cracker. You think there's something there, but it just crumbles beneath your finger."
Actually, as you know, I am the beehive blogs' biggest fan, but Simon wouldn't be. Randy and Paula wouldn't be, either, as I'm quite certain Randy can't read and Paula is too drunk to even try.
I hope you focus on the highlights of the season, which for me were:
Jason Castro claiming he's never been stoned.
Everyone I know imitating David ArchieJughead's feigned and practiced response to praise. All-together now: "Ohhh. Oh. (mouthed) thank you. (softly spoken) Thank You."
David Cook's baby pictures. I ran screaming from the room in horror.
That one time Ramiele didn't cover up her ears and we realized she really WAS from the movie Dark Crystal (here we see Ramiele and a seated Brooke: http://www.niftyfiftyscifi.com/Themes/Dark%20Crystal.JPG)
The time when Nigel Hawthorne realized Kristy Lee Cook had to be this year's Haley Scarnato, and she didn't have the legs for it.
And when Amanda Overmyer was s'posed to be this year's Gina Glockson, but only with more talent.
How GREAT Fantasia looked http://images.starpulse.com/Photos/Previews/Norbit-movie-01.jpg
And finally, my thoughts and feelings about the entire season personified: http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z265/tiffanybrunes/passed_out_drunk_06.jpg
Posted by: Stephen at May 16, 2008 6:36 PM
I'll admit I don't watch American Idol, don't have the stomach for it. It's not that I don't like the performers, I can't stand the judges. I don't find cruelty to be entertaining.
However, I do watch Great Day as I'm getting ready for work. Nothing like watching Dean Rhodus bask in his own glory as he gives his opinion. Well, we all know what opinions are like, now, don't we?
He and Simon could have a love child and it would be Anna Wintour.
Posted by: C1 at May 17, 2008 11:47 AM
So much for not liking cruelty C!. Why would you wish that on Anna. As for you Donald--I hope you and Felicia don't think less of me, but I've enjoyed this season of AI. And, believe me, there are plenty of others out there. Maybe they aren't all reading and responding to the Beehive, but it sure seams that those who do read the Beehive know a lot about the show even though they seem to just complain about it. After every show, there are many people who ask me if I saw it and what I thought. They come from all sorts of places in all sorts of professions. I find plenty of people to talk to about the show who watch it and know what's happening.
I'm still a David A. fan, but will concede that David C. is good and probably will and should win. But the show is still fun for me. At least there's still a little suspense left. Not like Dancing with the Stars where a professional dancer-on-ice has been the front runner all along.
So go for it David A. Sing, Sing!!!
Posted by: katbon at May 18, 2008 6:36 PM
LMAO katbon! Touche' lovey, touche'.
Posted by: C1 at May 18, 2008 11:08 PM
My friend and I have watched Idol every season.
We both agree with your critique.
I do like Dancing with the Stars better.
Donald, do you watch it?
Posted by: Joann at May 19, 2008 3:29 PM
I just finished reading your "David vs. David" write up, and I couldn't agree with you more!! This is the first AI season in which I have been an active voter, and David Cook has been my favorite contestant for the past two months. He is CLEARLY the talent left in this competition. I agree with you that Archuleta peaked months ago. Obviously the people that have been voting for Cook have been treating AI like a real talent competition, and those voting for Archuleta treat the show as a "popularity contest," I guess buying into his tired "young, sweet & innocent" routine. His "near fainting act" every time he receives positive remarks is sooo old! His "hypnotic sameness" drives me crazy as well! He's like a boring little machine- you know he'll get through the song, but there won't be anything interesting about his performance. I absolutely could not imagine him putting out an album- he has no creativity or depth, and although he does have a sturdy "conventionally well-trained voice," I don't find his voice to be pretty or unique.
I hope his little goose gets cooked next week, too- LOL
Posted by: Marla at May 19, 2008 3:47 PM
Great column. Our views are very similar although I'm a 71-year-old and see the world differently than most people your age. Archuleta's voice is great but he's nowhere as versatile at Cook nor does he fit the image of IDOL compared to Cook. Regarding any album he would make, I agree he'd put you to sleep with every song sounding the same. Sorry to say that Carrie Underwood's tunes all sound the same also. I realize the producers want the fan vote (translates into buying sponsor products) but it's a shame someone like Jason could remain on so long. He was the least talented of the final 10 and every time I looked at him, I wanted to take him into the shower and wash away the bird nests on top of his head. GROSS! You're correct about Paula, the girl needs serious work. She never saw a contestant she didn't like (great judge of talent sic.) and would probably compliment Asama Ben Lauden if he walked onto the stage. Keep up the good work.
Posted by: Old Man Dan at May 19, 2008 5:02 PM
To Joann: I haven't yet got sucked into "Dancing with the Stars," although I do have to say that I am aware and am a fan of "Hairspray" Broadway star Marissa Jaret Winokur's success on the show. (Is she still in the competition?)
Posted by: Donald Munro at May 19, 2008 5:08 PM
Why are you all such David Archuleta haters? He is a good singer and a decent human being.
Posted by: Janice at May 20, 2008 12:09 PM
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