Comments on: American Idol Season 8 – Kansas City Auditions – Recap

By: Elvina Anderson

Elvina Anderson — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 08:02:15 +0000

I am part of the bizymoms.com Kansas City community and I know they would love to read it http://www.bizymoms.com/kansas-city/index.php

In their news page you can submit news either as an article or as a RSS feed http://www.bizymoms.com/kansas-city/local-news.php

By: dzbebepnai

dzbebepnai — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 05:40:29 +0000

anoop desai is love:)

By: mj

mj — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 21:57:33 +0000

Thanks poporange for the info- if I understand you correctly Taylor was never given the opportunity to sign with 19. They picked Pickler and Daughtry instead.

There were rumors to that effect, but never proven.

Also, other runners-up not managed by 19 out of the gate: David Archuleta, Bo Bice and Diana DeGarmo.

By: cookcricket

cookcricket — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 18:09:18 +0000

Yeah I watched Idolatry (which I love!) this morning from the headlines. I was about to register to make a defense for Danny, but saw several others did. Thanks prime!!!!

Unfortunately Kristen’s response will only make it worse for those on the fence about this to start with. 1) She’s never walked in his shoes, and 2) she of all people should know how AI edits these things to milk it to the nth degree.

Finally, and I’m projecting here: For all we know his wife may have requested that he do this regardless of what happened…we just don’t know the whole story…

By: hicksaholic

hicksaholic — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 15:22:24 +0000

Thanks poporange for the info- if I understand you correctly Taylor was never given the opportunity to sign with 19. They picked Pickler and Daughtry instead. I always thought it was Taylor’s choice. Under that scenario all the handwringing from Taylor fans as to whether he made a wise choice is irrelevant. Back to Season 8

By: May

May — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 14:35:20 +0000

^^^^I kind of agree with Kristen.
However, it’s hard to predict how someone will deal with their grief, so I’ll wait to see how things play out.

By: primeminister

primeminister — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 11:27:30 +0000

Unfortunately, Danny Gokey’s “backstory” is already causing some backlash.

Check out the video from EW’s Idolatry.

Kristen: “I don’t know what kind of f*cking lunatic goes on American Idol 30 days after his wife dies and cries in a completely insane, theatrical way to the producers.”

By: cookcricket

cookcricket — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 08:01:49 +0000

AI has seemed to make a choice to exploit Danny. I hope they don’t pound it into the ground. Anyone would be raw with emotion after losing their spouse only four weeks earlier. He wants to remember his wife and do this for her. This can give him some purpose in life to move forward. If AI exploits the situation, that’s on AI, not on Danny. He seems (at least at this point) to have the chops to go far!

smallie, I agree, Jessica seems like one who can tough out about anything! This only causes her to appeal more to me.

By: sillypraguer

sillypraguer — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 07:29:46 +0000

Am I the only one who thought that India looks so fun? I never care about personalities so much, but this girl is oozing with personality. No idea if she can sing, but I hope we see more of her, just for amusement value. Maybe in the heavily advertised Hollywood rounds.

By: sillypraguer

sillypraguer — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 07:27:29 +0000

re: Danny, the X Factor loves contestants with sob stories and milks them even more than AI. Some past X Factor contestants have claimed that they were told to talk about certain things on camera if they wanted to go on in the competition. Check out Niki Evans or Daniel Evans vids … I doubt that they would bring this stuff up so often unless they had to.

By: Grammie Kari

Grammie Kari — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 06:41:57 +0000

I sort of disagree with many views in that Von Smith knows exactly what he is doing. I believe heÃƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s had vocal training. I mean, why would he appear on The View in 2007? (Although, Whoopi did make fun of him.) I believe this is a manipulation situation.

This week on The View, they showed a clip of Von's singing when Rosie introduced him in 2007. Whoopi was not impressed and implied that he was constipated.

YouTube sensation = built-in fanbase = potential voters = a huge viewing audience = no-matter-how-your-auditon-goes-youÃƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re-still-going-to-Hollywood.

I think you have this right on the money, Gwen. Also, because he did mess up on the audition, people are talking about him. Is this planned? Hmmm...

By: Terrie

Terrie — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 04:05:44 +0000

davidlove Jan 16th, 2009 at 3:07 am

Watched DannyÃƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s audition again, just to make sure I wasnÃƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t trippin over his backstory. Yup, I still like him bunches. Not only is his voice all kinds of wonderful, heÃƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s got loads of personality.

Me, too, plus Danny’s got sweetness, soulfulness, sensitivity, oodles of heart, and a non-threatening handsomeness that recalls Robert Downey Jr. I can understand why he reminds some of the ultimate AI sweetie pie, Elliott Yamin.

His backstory hits close to home and I was bawlin’ like the yellow-haired man-child who got rejected by Simon “Legree” Cowell. I think the crew asked him intentionally about his wife because they are all about milking the drama and you couldn’t miss his teary reaction in HDTV. Since he eschewed any tendency to self-pity in his audition clip, I doubt that he is trying to exploit his heartbreak.

That he is the praise and worship leader at two Wisconsin churches is the Nutella icing on the brownie for me.

By: Bobbi

Bobbi — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 00:15:52 +0000

I haven’t read all the replies so forgive me if this was already said. When I saw Von Smith auditioning, I remembered him from Rosie O’Donnell bringing him on The View. She had seen him on YouTube and I guess he had become somewhat of a sensation there. The thought crossed my mind that they might have passed him through to appeal to YouTubers. YouTubers in their minds equating to younger viewers? Possible? I can’t imagine why they would pass him based on his audition!

By: IdolFanatic

IdolFanatic — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 22:45:07 +0000

I really like the new commercials and and the Cook promo they did during the KC show. Regardless though, they’ll never convince anyone that you HAVE to win this show to succeed. Cook would’ve had the same success with or without the title. The finale was just of a formality.

By: sma11ie

sma11ie — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 21:53:42 +0000

^^ That’s also my impression as well, so not quite as sad as the Saracen situation, but still, you have to make a lot of sacrifices to take on something like that. I like her cuz she kind of reminds me of Kelly (not vocally though), and seems tough. Anyway, so excited for season 3 of FNL, haha!

By: cookcricket

cookcricket — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 21:14:16 +0000

Jessica’s 20. I got the sense that she had chosen to take care of her Grandma so she wouldn’t have to go to a Nursing Home.

By: astrogal

astrogal — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 20:22:50 +0000

i liked Danny Gorkhey. didnt expect to like anybody but he is nice

and I thought i had walked into an alternative universe with Von’ audition too. I didn’t get it at all.

By: Keel

Keel — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 19:27:44 +0000

On Jessica Furney, I immediately thought of Matt Saracen when they showed her talking to her grandmother in that tiny house. How old is she and how long has she been without her parents? I hope she’s not a teen taking care of her supposed guardian ‘cuz a fictional Matt Saracen is sad enough. I wasn’t really a fan of her Janis Joplin performance but I hope she’s got other things going for her vocally.

By: oceana

oceana — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 19:05:20 +0000

I watched the second night and I was surprised by the mediocre performances that they put through to Hollywood. I thought Jason’s brother was cute though.

By: leome

leome — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 18:25:18 +0000

Oh, hope I’m not late to the party.

Von’s audition was one of the worst things I’ve lisented to in my entire life. What kind of song assassination was that? Of course the judges passed him cause they already knew who he was and had listened to other stuff by him. Simon would never be fine with something like that. Poor song. And I saw Australia two days ago… way to ruin the song man.
I think he’ll annoy many people, I just can’t see him wining. But He’ll probably go far and I just can’t stand him already.

The interview part with Jason’t brother was so fake, trying to be like Jason. Were we supposed to buy that? He sang ok.

I was not really excited with anyone this episode, I really liked 2 people in the last one but this one was just fine.
Anoop and Asa (hottie!) were my favorites. I actually liked Annop’s outfit. Nice look on him.Lots of soul stuff this season… looks like that.

By: IdolFanatic

IdolFanatic — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 16:57:34 +0000

Yes, it’s true that was taped in late summer and Hollywood Week is usually taped in the fall and now it’s been even more time. Hopefully if he stays in, they will allow him to focus on the competition and quit asking him about his grief. This could be a nice distraction for him in a way if they allow him some space from talking about it on camera every time he’s shown. I do agree that he seemed much more collected in the audition room which was good to see.

By: cookcricket

cookcricket — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 16:42:19 +0000

IdolFanatic, I see what you’re saying. I hope once Hollywood week starts he’ll be further removed from the raw pain, though I’m sure one never completely gets over something like that and it will still be somewhat recent (less than a yr.).

I remember thinking that once they cut to the audition that they must have given him plenty of time to collect himself.

I do hope AI won’t run it into the ground, but I’m sure they will…

Oh yeah, this is re: Danny.

By: snuffles

snuffles — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 16:03:20 +0000

Jessica Furney could be like Adele

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjQJz_8rQkY&feature=related

Since Simon can’t see potential unless it mimicks an already successful artist.

By: IdolFanatic

IdolFanatic — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 16:01:32 +0000

My only concern for Danny is that if he continues to advance and they beat his backstory into the ground, that might actually turn off some would-be fans. His story is incredibly sad, but the way they presented it, and his very real and raw, fresh emotion was almost too much to take in. My roommate thought he almost seemed to be overdoing the crying thing for the cameras. I doubt that but unfortunately some may think so.

By: IdolFanatic

IdolFanatic — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 15:50:27 +0000

I think a lot of the boys are lucky that theyÃƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢re good looking and have great backstories.

Well as MJ pointed out, Danny Gokey needed no backstory. His talent speaks for itself. Though I’m sure the story helped him standout in the cattle call audition where tons of great singers are turned away.

By: cookcricket

cookcricket — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 15:46:38 +0000

Jessica and Danny (RDJ) are my favs right now. I can’t wait to see them in Hollywood to see if this continues to hold true. Now, I have to back and watch them once again.

By: sma11ie

sma11ie — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 15:19:00 +0000

Thanks for the clips and recaps, MJ! This makes it so much easier for me to keep track of everyone. Despite TPTB’s attempts to clamp down on Internet clips (HUGE mistake, IMO), without something like this, there’d be very little chance I’d actually tune in later this season.

I really like Jessica Furney. I love her voice, her temperament, and I gotta be honest, her backstory. She seems so even-keeled and mature beyond her years, despite what looks to be a tough domestic situation. No tears, no asking for pity, just matter-of-fact: I take care of her, but she takes care of me too. SOB, I’m such a sucker for these Matt Saracen from Friday Night Lights types (disclosure: I read the TWOP recap before watching the clip, so I didn’t make the Saracen connection on my own). I’m also rooting for Asa and Anoop, and Lil Rounds. Good voices and again, something about their demeanor I can get behind. That Michael Nicewonder bit was painful and ugly to watch. I really think producers misestimated, thinking they found comedy gold with a white William Hung, but nope, this guy clearly had a pathology, and this was cruel and not at all funny. Shame on you AI

Oh yeah, the skinny cheerleader with Andrew Lang was a total ringer for a young Maggie Gyllenhaal, no? Sorry, random, but I just had to get that out–it was bothering me and it took me forever to figure out who she resembled.

By: widz

widz — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 15:09:17 +0000

Off-topic:

I’m watching 30 Rock right now..and had to pause when Tina Fey said “We’ve got to fight the power..fight The Powers That Be!” LMAO

By: poporange

poporange — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 15:09:09 +0000

snuffles -thanks memory is going down the tubes.Why bother I’ll Leave the AI facts to others .

Off topic-Friday Night Lights is on tonight (friday)

By: GwendolynD

GwendolynD — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 14:54:07 +0000

Von Smith – Greenwood, MO – Age 22 Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ Student – Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…â€œOver the RainbowÃƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ – YES – Ok, whatÃƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s the deal with Von Smith? His singing is ridiculously over-the-top and utterly without finesse. Yet, the judges really like him, without reservation. Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…â€œPowerful,Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ says Kara. Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…â€œI thought the vocals were pretty goodÃƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦I was impressed.Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ says Randy. Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…â€œI like youÃƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦you have a good voice,Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ says Simon. Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…â€œAbsolutely yes,Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ says Paula. Did I walk into an alterna-universe? I thought that was horrible. Seriously, I am not looking forward to the dude screaming at me from my TV in the next couple of weeks.

YouTube sensation = built-in fanbase = potential voters = a huge viewing audience = no-matter-how-your-auditon-goes-you’re-still-going-to-Hollywood.

I haven’t made a decision based on 30 seconds of listening. I’ve heard it all.

He’s free to try and change my mind.