The curse of the front-runner
David Archuleta, the 17-year-old Mormon “American Idol” contestant, has a face made for the cover of teen magazines and a pure, pop voice that cements his status as teenage crush material. It’s a combination that has led to Archuleta being crowned the front-runner, both by judges on the show and in the media.
Pity him.
In the six seasons “Idol” has been on the air, the performer deemed by either the judges and/or the press as the front-runner has only gone on to win the singing competition once: Carrie Underwood in 2005.
Review: Nothing subtle about country star Underwood
Does Carrie Underwood ever do anything that’s not vocally over the top? The former American Idol performed Friday night at Scotiabank Place, bringing an outsized set of lungs and a relentless attack to her pop-country stylings. It was the type of show that wears thin after about five minutes and deteriorates from there.
Copps Coliseum, Hamilton - March 22, 2008
HAMILTON — Having just turned 25 and asked a week ago to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry, it’s been a good month for Carrie Underwood.
Just not good enough to let that sweet, inner Guns N’ Roses child of hers come out as was the case during the encore of her 90-minute show Saturday night at Hamilton’s Copps Coliseum.
Dance troupe hit out at Cowell’s ‘Talent’
A girls’ dance troupe has hit out at Simon Cowell for the way they were treated at a Britain’s Got Talent audition.
The girls, from the Liverpool Renaissance Academy of Performing Arts, danced at an audition in Blackpool but were sent home after Cowell told them that their costumes were “tacky”.
The troupe then spent £5,000 on new outfits and travelled to the London auditions, but they were rejected without being given another chance to perform.
Kimberley Locke reflects on her ‘American Idol’ audition
On Thursday, I sat down with “American Idol” alum Kimberley Locke for an extended interview. My Life & Style article about her is slated to appear in Tuesday’s edition of The Journal News and she’ll be singing her new single, “Fall,” on Wednesday’s “Idol” results show.
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It wouldn’t surprise me either. And like you said, Beesims, it’s not just the tweenies who love David. His appeal is straight across the board. Read the boards and you’ll find middle-aged women who are obsessed with him. Guys like him too. The other Idols appeal to segments, they don’t have that kind of broad base of support that David seems to have.
I can’t imagine him not winning at this point. But, stranger things have happened.
I had. I am a big Leonard Cohen fan so I was most familiar with the original. I had heard the Buckley version (and the John Cale version) after hearing the Rufus Wainwright version on the Shrek soundtrack and poking around some back then.
I did, but mainly because she was mentioned several times on various idol blogs back during season 5. Many people said (probably at least somewhat correctly) that the arrangement of Over the Rainbow that Kat sang borrowed from Eva’s (and from Jane Monheit’s). I have bought five or six of her CDs since then. Good stuff.
Simon does have a fairly decent knowledge of music. But he certainly does have some blind spots.
I think Jason needs to stick to what he does best for a few more weeks. His acustic, heart-felt ballads are pleasing this fan just fine. But “Michelle” had me diving under my afghan in embarassment and peering cautiously through the weave. Although his stage presence is improving, he needs more time to develop the comfortablity needed to pull off anything different and make it believable.
I really think Michael Johns still has potential to impress people.
But of course, the clock is ticking, the next couple of weeks are pretty much his last chance. Poor guy, people just expect so much from him, I hope he quiets all those haters next week. I actually think he has a strong fan base, not as much as some others, but still pretty strong.
Also, I am sorry, but you really can’t compare Michael with Ace.
Ace was a sweet cute guy I guess, but that’s about it.
Michael is a million times better singer and way more talented. Have you guys heard his PRE-AI songs with his former band? The guy can bring and rock it. HIs I-Tunes recordings are awesome. Great recording voice.
I really think he has a great future ahead whether he wins or not. He just hasn’t had his moment on the show since Hollywood. Maybe the themes haven’t been right for him. I dunno. Maybe he is having a tough time choosing songs within those limited constraints of 25 songs or so.
I think Michael is extremely talented and is way underrated. Simon was a huge fan in the beginning and I really don’t know what he wants from him. Give the guy a break Simon, just saying.
Go MJ! I still believe in you.
Um, Ana, those are fighting words. Ace doesn’t hop and flail. J/K
I was being nice by comparing him to Ace.
I do believe MJ can rebound if he has a moment.
Um, perhaps a breakout performance that proves that the hype and praise that was heaped on him early is warranted?
I liked Michael in the beginning based on his audition and Hollywood performances and even voted for him some in the semis - along with 3 or 4 others. But over the past 5 weeks of live performances, he’s slowly been losing me, to the point that I haven’t cast a single vote for him since the top 12 started. Some of my other faves (namely David Cook) have been stepping it up and actually giving me a reason besides “you’re so hot!” to vote for them.
IF Michael steps up to the plate and actually starts living up to his hype and so-called potential, he might get my vote again.
Hey, pj it’s just my opinion. To each her own I guess. I was never a fan of Ace during the show, sorry, but I think he is a super sweet guy.
Anyways, I just really like Michael’s soulful voice and style. I enjoy his stage presence. Great recording vocals.
I know I am in the minority here, but I am a firm believer of his talent. He has so much potential, it really is just a bonus that he just happens to be HOT.
Watching many Pre- AI videos of him I know what he can do with the right song. He can bring it, but he hasn’t been able to show that and maybe never will.
At this point… I realize he won’t win or anything close, although I wish he would make at least Top 4. Still very far fetch, I know.
The problem right now with him, is that he is not making the smartest of choices. IMO He is thinking with his heart, not with his head.
Maybe AI is not the right vehicle for him. I dunno. At least, he is getting some exposure from all of this.
I hope something good happens to him after the show. I am already anticipating his debut album. Maybe I will wait forever, but I still have hope that someone will give him a chance.
Simon gave Michael plenty of chances and was more than fair to him even through some very mediocre performances. Sure he’s talented, but he isn’t the first person that had a great audition and was impressive in Hollywood but struggled on the big stage. It usually happens every year. The whole thing with AI is you have to proof you can handle the pressure, you need more than talent to get through this competition. For his age and the fact that he was even considered a plant I don’t blame them for expecting a lot out of him.
I seriously doubt it. The last two weeks he sure seemed to be lucky in findings songs that had some deep meaning to him.
After watching every season of American Idol……I think that the judges sometimes “Lie” during their critiques of a contestant…
Great comments here today. I wish we could pin down some comments that are stated as fact, when I am sure they are not. In any season have they ever admitted to throwing out votes because of electronic dialing? I mean and if that were the case, isn’t it fair? Just askin’.
I think it is too early to count anyone out, especially Michael Johns, I really think he might have a big performance in him. It’s funny I thought that this big stage would be great for him, when in fact not so much. The only two that really seemed comfortable have been Amanda (goodbye) and David Cook. Brooke and Jason don’t have a clue when they don’t have their security blankets and it showed them up last week. How will they adapt?
I’m with you, Maracaibo. I love Michael’s songs from his previous band and am enjoying the mp3s from his last 2 performances. His recording voice is really good. I don’t expect him to win but think he can stay for a few weeks longer if he makes better song choices. Other than Light My Fire, I think he’s made the mistake of doing songs he likes or mean something to him instead of what makes his voice standout. His fans may not equal David A fans or even David C but we’re pretty fangirly over him.
Whether you’re known as a plant, the chosen one, the gay, the true rocker, the anti idol, the posuer, or the klingon (sawry, that’s mine for Kristy), this year’s Idol will have had to endure a lotta crap along the way.
Yeah bean… At least we are very loyal and fangirly. And that surely counts.
Thanks for your comment, it made me feel better that I am not the only one here who thinks MJ has talent and can bring it. Let’s hope he has at least one moment before he gets the boot.
I don’t think Michael is in as much danger as people seem to think. He’s been pretty steady, though not particularly spectacular (with the exception of iTunes recordings, on which I think he shines) and that should buy him a few more weeks.
Is it a deathblow to Michael that Simon’s turning on him? Not at all! Simon changes him mind faster than Paula puts a sentence together!
Did you see on the TV guide channel yesterday? When Simon was asked who was his money was on to win it all, he said, “I like the kid with the dreads. He’s good. Yeah, I think he’s one to watch, maybe.” (Yes, this was after Jason’s performance of Michelle…) THEN when Randy said he liked the boy with dark hair, Simon agreed that David was the one to beat.
In some ways, Simon’s just as fickle as Paula. Just you wait, if Michael has a stellar performance this week, the winds of Idol will change.
Fear not, MJ fans, fear not.
I think David A has won it already. Almost everyone I talk to about idol is picking him to win. And it’s like MJ said - his fan base spans many age groups. Since Ai says this is the best talent evah, I’ll eb curious to see how many 19 signs after the season is over.
Count me in as someone who sees a lot of potential in Michael. I really liked his version of “Across The Universe” and preferred it to the David Cook’s bombastic version of “Eleanor Rigby”. There was a moment where his voice just took flight. I didn’t get Randy’s comment that it was “sleepy”. Sleepy was Ramiele doing “In My Life”. Sorry PJ, but I think his voice is stronger and more interesting than Ace’s with less Velveeta. That said, I don’t seem him getting past Top 6 unless he has a breakout performance a la Chikezie.
Signings:
David A
David C
Jason
Carly
Brooke
Michael
Possible signings:
Ramiele
Chikeze
Syesha
Improbable:
Kristy
My turn.
Signings:
David A- I would bet money on this one
Michael (if he makes it into the Top 5)
David C (if he makes it into the Top 5)
Brooke (if she makes it into the Top 4)
Jason (if he makes it into the Top 3)
Possible signings:
Carly (it depends on how the voters take to her)
Kristy (it pains me to put her beside Carly)
Improbable:
Ramiele
Chikeze
Syesha
Re: Michael Johns and Ace
(pj, you know I heart you, but…) I also submit that Michael is a much, much better singer than Ace. I do get the comparison regarding the peaking early aspect, but that is about it. I know I would buy a Michael Johns album (if ever there is one post-AI) but I’m not too sure I would get Ace’s. Ace is mighty pretty, though (although I don’t even recall ever swooning over him). Of course, Michael is not bad-looking either. ;)
It really surprises me how much I have come to like Michael. I didn’t really like the guy (I even disliked him a little because of the reports and the overhyping) in the beginning, but his voice has completely won me over. I’m also hoping he gives that standout performance soon.
I do agree with you, though, pj, that Leona Lewis is gorgeous. I have also come to like her Bleeding Love. Heh. Oh, also, I was at a friend’s birthday/housewarming/Easter party last night and some of us there got to talking about AI and Jason Castro in particular. In the end, the peeps prevailed upon me to do Michelle on karaoke, but everytime I get to the “Mee-shelle…” part, everybody would suddenly just join in. It was a hoot! (Thanks for the laughs, Jason!) ;)
And pj, LOL at the Texas heat. ;)
Also…..I am really “impressed” when the 3 stooges aka judges pretend not to know the contestant’s name.
Kirsten, whether this is true or not, this is how Simon comes off on the show. At one time, I thought the show could not survive without Simon; however, the last two years I have felt he just does not enjoy his work. JoJo’s assessment is correct. The show could go on without Simon, but his replacement would have to be unique.
As PJ says, “Randy is the most useless judge, even though he’s the one with the most musical talent.” I also think Randy is replaceable. His dawg act is wearing thin. In American Idol Rewind, I appreciated Lionel Richie’s comments - that’s the kind of judgong AI needs. To be honest, I wish he would just disappear.
I have been requesting a folk rock theme for years. This is the season that it would fit in with the singers’ voices. Oh, I also think MJ will come through with a break-out performance. And, I still feel there should be more guys on the tour than girls.
I think Michael is more this year’s Brandon Rogers - great audition (we didn’t see Brandon in Hollywood), then done in by song choice. Good thing he hasn’t forgotten the words. ;) (Love ya, Brandon! :)) Also, thanks to the early hype, Michael has a pretty solid fanbase. But he’s not going to pick up other votes if he doesn’t have a “breakout” performance.
This is why I’ve been saying for about 3 weeks now that Michael has GOT to stop picking songs that either a) mean a lot to him or b) that he just likes, and pick songs that he can sing and perform well. It seems like he’s actually overthinking his choices.
I don’t think a breakout performance is out of his realm, because I know he’s talented. I’m just saying that without one, I fear he’s in danger of being a premature boot along the lines of Mandisa, simply because he’s not GROWING his fanbase like some of the other contestants are.
ETA: FWIW, I personally would love to see a top 3 consisting of CCJ (Cook, Castro, & Johns). :)
If Brooke can keep it together, I could see them signing her no matter when she finishes (the higher the better). Her kind of singer is getting popular again. She needs to avoid the meltdowns. I could see David Cook getting signed to front a band. David A. is a lock and I’m not sure about anyone else.
Sarah, a top 3 of CCJ would make me a very happy woman. Odds of it actually happening…well, I’ll have to ask Nigel :-)
Lots of things to chew over in the above commentary. I esp. liked Kirsten analysis of Simon.
I had heard of both Jeff Buckley’s and Eva Cassidy’s tragic deaths before tis season of Idol. But I had seen Shrek and totally can’t remember “Hallelujah”. I think I first heard of Cassisy due to someone on Canadian Idol doing her version of SOTR, which would have been BEFORE Kat’s.
Interesting if Carly is pregnant. I did think she looked puffy last week. I immediately thought: “Aha! That’s why they are thinking of bringing in an ‘extra’ person for the tour”.