‘American Idol’ Power List: The Top 3
Top 3 Power Rankings: Here Comes David A.!
The Top 3 Power Rankings
61.3% David Cook
29.7% David Archuleta
9.0% Syesha Mercado
Wake me when ‘American Idol’ is over by Dave White
This will sound incredibly ridiculous to just about every single person reading this, but it’s actually my job to sit on my couch and watch “American Idol” with my friends. I’m sorry if you have a really boring sales meeting coming up in 15 minutes and you’re just killing time on the Internet until then and I just made you start daydreaming about how awesome it would be to get paid money to watch TV. But that’s my job. Really.
Of course, then I have to write somewhat detailed recaps of the show. Recaps that go on for thousands of words where I analyze “Idol”-related issues of monumental importance.
‘Idol’ coaches weigh in on the three who remain
Three contestants. Three songs to perform. One goal. THIS … is American Idol. As the semifinals drama heightens, our coaches detail what each singer needs to do to win.
‘IDOL’ CHATTER: The coaches panel has even more to say
Sob story success American Idol hopefuls bounce back from painful pasts and make it to finals
Good singers with a sob story are loved even more.
Which could make the top three finalists of the seventh season of American Idol well-loved, judging from their heart-rending family histories.
This year’s unscripted drama has story lines that go deeper than someone’s job at a gay strip club or someone’s former recording contract.
Behind the sweet, shy smile of 17-year-old frontrunner David Archuleta is a tough family background.
In 2002, the marriage of his parents Jeff, a jazz trumpet player, and Lupe, a pop/Latin singer and dancer from Honduras, was so shaky they filed for divorce, reported the National Enquirer.
‘Idol’ drama hurts so good — but it does hurt
Watching American Idol these days is like suffering through the most dysfunctional relationship I’ve ever had.
At first, I’ll admit, it was hate at first sight — as demonstrated by a passionate 2002 column nailing Idol as “a gussied up, lip-synching carnival that passes off children who can warble an Elton John tune as artists worthy of a recording contract.”
Anyone who met their future mate in negative circumstances can relate.
Three Players, Nine Songs
Dreadlocked Jason Castro, who admitted he had a tough time remembering lyrics from two songs that he knew last week (not to mention two he didn’t from Neil Diamond the week before), almost looked relieved upon being eliminated last week on ” American Idol.”
Now, at least, he won’t have to try to learn three songs to sing before TV’s biggest weekly audience.
So, after the ouster of Castro last week, when he stumbled during a Bob Marley tune and forgot some Bob Dylan lyrics, Tuesday’s semifinal will feature Syesha Mercado vs. the Two Davids — Cook and Archuleta.
Test your ‘A.I.’ I.Q.
The seventh season of “American Idol” is nearing its final note, and this go-round featured all the typical “A.I.” staples: Paula receiving transmissions from distant planets; Simon being mean; Seacrest being sycophantic.
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And of course, a crew of crooners of questionable talent vied for the title.
Now it’s down to the top three: hot rocker David Cook; sweet 17-year-old David Archuleta; and the elegant Syesha Mercado.
In honor of this enduring talent show, we offer the “Idol” I.Q. Test:
Miles Siggins Idol’s Fashion Police
When “American Idol” sneezes, American culture catches pneumonia. Across the Internet, beside the water coolers, on magazine covers and morning news chat shows, every inch of each week’s show is subjected to scrutiny worthy of an International Atomic Energy Agency spot inspection team. Every misstep comes under the remorseless spotlight of America’s pundit army.
And of all the iffy decisions each contestant makes, none –- not picking a terrible song, forgetting a lyric or flubbing an interview segment –- is as likely to earn a singer the collective wrath of the nation as a bad fashion choice. “Pitchy” singing can be forgiven. Skeletons from one’s past are gladly shoved back in the closet. But if you are a 17-year-old singer with a reputation more wholesome than Betty Crocker’s, as David Archuleta’s is, and you step on stage in leather pants, neither God nor man nor the Fox network can save you.
Why I’m not rooting for David A. to win ‘Idol’
The news about David Archuleta’s dad, Jeff, being banned from Idol rehearsals was the nudge I needed to set down some thoughts I’ve been batting around in my head. (There’s lots of empty space up there, plenty of room to bat thoughts around.) The topic: Why it would be better for everyone concerned if David did not win the Idol crown.
If I’m being honest (one of my favorite Simon qualifiers), much of that belief is founded upon my aversion to his style of music. Similarly to just about everyone, I was impressed early by David’s precociousness and bowled over by his rendition of Imagine, lyrically sanitized as it was. Since then, nearly everything he’s done has been a variation on this theme — ballad or ballad-like tempo, inspirational or impersonal message, runs around the melody line to show off his vocal skills, not seemingly to invest the song with greater significance. (He’s far from the only Idol in history to indulge in this practice, of course.) In other words (Frank Sinatra’s, actually, adapted liberally), it’s the song serving the singer, not — as Sinatra’s credo was — the singer serving the song.
Vocal coach denies Archuleta’s father is ’stage dad from hell’
David Archuleta’s vocal coach confirmed today that the “American Idol” singer’s father, who has been accused of being “the stage dad from hell,” has been prohibited from working with his son on the show.
Coach Dean Kaelin said the move to keep Jeff Archuleta from helping with David’s songs was based on “fairness,” not about allegations that Jeff has been a distraction or because he told his son to use additional lyrics that cost producers extra money.
Kaelin was referring to news reports that Jeff Archuleta was booted from rehearsals because he disobeyed producers’ orders. The Associated Press, along with Internet tabloid site TMZ.com, reported that Jeff Archuleta had his son ad lib partial lyrics from Sean Kingston’s “Beautiful Girls” during last week’s performance of “Stand by Me,” forcing producers to pay for rights to two songs. According to the stories, that led to the ban.
“This whole things with the words is ludicrous,” said Kaelin, who has been working with David and his father during the show’s run. “[David] easily would have sung that in front of producers, directors [during rehearsals]. Why wouldn’t anyone go up to him and say, ‘You can’t sing that,’ or go to Jeff? And nobody did.”
David Cook T-Shirts Benefit American Cancer Society
T-Shirts celebrating American Idol contestant, David Cook , are in demand.
The American Cancer Society began selling them Friday during Cook’s homecoming tour. They are $10 and 20 percent of the cost goes to the American Cancer Society in honor of David’s brother, Adam. Adam Cook suffers from brain cancer.
Here’s what to do about David Cook’s clothes
David Cook of Blue Springs is running up high performance scores on “American Idol.” But as for his sartorial ratings? They are not as terrific. How would the experts help him? We asked a couple of Kansas City stylists.
Add a little polish. Lose the sloppy style for a long and lean look. We’re not suggesting that he be transformed into Ralph Lauren. But our experts have the right idea.
We ask KC experts to straighten out the debate over David Cook’s hair.
You know you’ve become famous when America starts arguing over your hair. That’s what has happened to David Cook, the Blue Springs rocker whose powerful voice and edgy perormances have earned him a spot in the finals of “American Idol.” So, yeah, he can sing. No argument there. But his hair? That’s a different story. It’s all the rage on the Internet.
Lessons Syesha Taught Me
This is a time of endings. Tomorrow, cycle 10 of America’s Next Top Model will draw to a close, and Tyra Banks will bid us farewell till the fall. (Or, rather, till her talk show airs on Thursday afternoon.) Next week, our country will anoint its new beacon of hope—not in a presidential primary, but with the finale of American Idol season seven.
Oh, and in about three weeks I will graduate from Harvard.
Naturally, I’m reflecting. What meaning have I found? What friendships have I formed? What lessons have I learned? The first two are easy—the answer to both is David Archuleta. If you don’t know who he is, Archie (as insiders call him), is a current Idol finalist, an adorable seventeen-year-old phenom who, if there is any justice in the world, will soon be declared this season’s winner.
Syesha fans keep party going
Die-hard “American Idol” fans have been packing into Mattison’s City Grille in downtown Sarasota for the past 10 weeks to show their support for local contestant Syesha Mercado and tonight will be no exception, but get there early. The show last Tuesday started at 8, but by 7:15, it was standing-room only with additional stadium-style seating set up on the sidewalk.
The restaurant creates an array of signature menu items each week, like the Fan-esha appetizer, Pizza Mercado, the Syesha Salad, and a Syesha Cocktail. Syesha fan Lynn Hudson said, “We never get this kind of excitement in Sarasota; I’m getting chills.”
Jennifer Hudson MIA from Sex and The City London Prem
So where’s Hudson, and why wasn’t she at the big splashy international premiere of her first film since the wildly successful “Dreamgirls”?
“She is busy working on her new album,” according to her ID-PR publicist. “She’s not doing any of the international press, just the domestic.”
Oh. ‘Kay. Then.
So that means we’ll see JHud at the New York premiere May 27 at Radio City Music Hall. Why do I think she’s gonna perform, along with Fergie, that night? Just call it a hunch.
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation to honor Zeile, Dodgers
LOS ANGELES — Former Dodgers third baseman Todd Zeile and the club will be honored this coming Thursday, May 15 at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s annual fundraiser gala, “Finding a Cure: A Love Story,” at the Beverly Hilton. The event will begin at 6:00 p.m. with a cocktail reception and silent auction, with dinner to follow at 7:00 p.m.
Singer and American Idol favorite Katharine McPhee will also be on hand for a special performance, as will surprise Grammy Award-winning performers.
Singer Clay Aiken is finally starting to figure out style
Clay Aiken has always seemed like the most bewildered of the American Idol graduates — his instant fame cut with a bit of what-just-happened? caution, his music a hit-or-miss split between what he wants and what he’s supposed to want.
Five years later, on his second full album of originals, On My Way Here, Aiken is starting to figure it out.
He is at his best when he wraps his big voice around big ballads, usually ones with big messages attached. He maximizes the drama on As Long as We’re Here to poignant effect, with booming phrases that would make Celine Dion proud, followed by vulnerable questioning that emo leading men would secretly admire. He undersells Something About Us like it was a classic Johnny Mathis ballad and fills The Real Me with a quavering uncertainty that makes it work.
Asian star power in New York!
Guess who landed at the South Asian Excellence Awards (SAEA) in New York? Well, it was former tennis star Vijay Amritraj (in a black sherwani), with former American Idol contestant Sanjaya Malakar (right), actress Pooja Batra (2nd from right) and Janina Gavankar (left).
The celebrities were among others present at the event hosted by Sony Entertainment Television Asia to recognise and honour South Asian achievers for their accomplishments.
Who’d you spare: Brandon Rogers or Ace Young?
Former American Idol contestants Brandon Rogers and Ace Young guest on tonight’s episode of Bones (8 p.m. ET). Both play aspiring singers: Brandon’s character is credited as “Broadway Wannabe,” while Ace’s goes by the name “Tommy Sour.” From the Fox teasers, we know that Ace is the one who bites it. But, watch the clips below and cast a vote for the Idol alum you would spare. (Why? Because I’m feeling puckish.)
Ryan Seacrest: ‘I Like What I’ve Heard’ of Lindsay Lohan’s New Music
Lindsay Lohan is going hip-hop on her next album – and Ryan Seacrest is impressed.
“I’ve heard some of it, I like what I’ve heard so far,” Seacrest told PEOPLE backstage at KIIS-FM’s annual Wango Tango concert in Irvine, Calif., on Saturday. Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers performed at the show.
“Lindsay is taking it very seriously,” said Seacrest, 33. “She’s working really hard. She’s working with great producers.”
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It would be nice if you would list EW’s power rankings above as you did the TVG’s power list … your choice of course.
I can’t cut and paste from the EW article, and I’m not willing to type the list out, sorry.
That’s okay … it’s your site. Good luck with your favorite!
MJ, that Dave White assessment of AI’s decline published by MSNBC is a great find. Thanks for posting it.
I think Dave has it right. What do you think?
I would add that Sony BMG and its proxy, Simon Cowell, enforce a top 40 radio conclusion to the contest when a substantial chunk of the viewing audience that buys iTunes isn’t driven by top 40. AI has the power to influence radio for the better but squanders it on predictable blandness that fits the same formula every time.
I like Cookie and he was my third favorite after Jason and Johnsy, but I’m done with voting. I see him following Daughtry’s top 40 trajectory, whether he wants to or not, which means his recordings and sales success will inevitably be compared to Chris’s. And that would be a shame, because I like him a whole lot more than I ever liked Daughtry.
I agree with Dave White’s article.
Jason sang at a hospital yesterday in New York City. He SANG HALLELUJAH! You will have to extend grace to him because he didn’t have all the correct chords, but that song is REALLY COMPLEX to play. It was Jason, so it was beautiful anyway, and he gets kudos for taking requests and trying to please his fans!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9a73mQL5GVc
Saw Jason interviewed by Juliet on the Mike and Juliet show this morning. BEST INTERVIEW SO FAR! She asked him about his SAT score! (1340) I’m sure mj will post it later, if she’s not already in the act of ding it at this very moment. They introduced us to HIS GIRLFRIEND, MANDY! I liked her a lot. I can tell she has a cute personality. She’s pretty.
I’ll do it. ;)
EW’s American Idol’ Power List: The Top 3
1 David Archuleta
2 David Cook
3 Syesha Mercado
Thanks purps. You know, it takes me at least two hours to put together this post every day. If it wasn’t so damn popular I’d probably skip it. I cut corners where I can.
If people want to think I’m playing favorites, they are welcome to do that. Truth is, David Cook has been EW’s #1 for weeks now, until this week. Did I bother to painstakingly type out an excerpt, last week, for instance?
Hell to the effing no!
LOL!!!
Due to DC’s request, his brother’s story has not been formally covered by AI to this point. I wonder if it will be touched on at all, however lightly, tonight with the homecoming visits since so much of the return centered around family and friends. Loved all of this week’s articles.
Thanks for everything, MJ!
Wow, Dave White twice in one week! I like reading his assessments, because although always full of snark, they are usually right on.
MJ, I never miss the blog and I can tell it takes a heck of a lot of time and effort to pull this together for us! I think you should skip retyping what you can’t cut and paste… and I personally find the blog, and your posts, more than fair to all. Of course, everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion on this, but I wanted you to know mine!
Cheers everyone!!
ETA: Loved, loved, LOVED the Dave White article.
Not only do I not miss this blog, I check it several times a day!
I HAVE to if I want to keep up with all the comments!
If THIS is true, then I want to know why they didn’t do this earlier. On the other hand, I see why they allowed the dad to help, as David does have to put in 3 hours of school every day. In that case, why are they changing it now? Is David done with his school schedule?
Interesting comments in the Harvard Crimson - Lessons Syesha Taught Me. I like the analogy from America’s Top Model, and I think it applies well to AI.
I would like to make an observation though… I saw a clip of Syesha whirling dervishly about the stage during Proud Mary, and suddenly I was struck by the double-standard Simon uses. Can you imagine what Simon’s reaction would have been if it had been Taylor Hicks, David Hernandez, or Jason Castro acting like that on the stage?
We don’t have to imagine! We know! He hates it!
I didn’t think there was a doggone thing wrong with David Hernandez’s performance of Just 17 (besides getting the words wrong). Simon’s reaction? “No! No! No!” And telling Taylor he looked like a drunk at a wedding. And well, Jason channeling Bob Marley…
ALW tells Syesha to put her personality into it and suddenly she’s been given permission to “act” - which is what she does best.
But it’s ok for women to do that on the AI stage.
M.J. I can’t keep up with all you do here.
I do agree with a lot of what Dave White says.
As for Syesha’s performance of ‘Proud Mary,’ Simon had nothing good to say about it.
However, it does raise the issue of choreography/dance and its emerging role in the evolution of AI. If a contestant uses dance as an instrument to sell a performance, how is that any different than Brooke White using the piano?
And if AI is looking into a growth area for ratings, then it would appear to me incorporating dance and acknowledging its weight in evaluating performance merits real consideration.
MJ….I can’t say thank you enough for all you do. This truly is the only place to get all things Idol in one quick and easy shopping trip. Great job and thanks for all the hard work.
Simon sure is an old stick-in-the-mud. I’m not a Syesha fan, but, at least she spiced up the stage for the first time this season.
I don’t normally agree with Ken Barnes of USA Today, but, I do agree with him about David A. winning Idol. I’ve been saying this all along. But, alas, his fans aren’t concerned about his mental health. They want a win at all costs. I just don’t believe he will get radio airplay with his niche in music, unless there are deep pockets paying for that privilege.
I think David Cook’s style would be stymied with the title, unless they have learned their lesson about letting the artist be true to who they are. Sadly, they hurt Bo very much.
So, that leaves Syesha for the win. Not a very popular choice, but, maybe TPTB deserve her.
I think TPTB deserve Jeff Archuleta, which is why I’m going to be voting my little fingers off for Archie tonight.
MJ,
I really really give a huge appreciative thanks for your blog…don’t know what I would do without it! As an American lving in Copenhagan, I feel fully caught up, as we are a month behind with the current season of AI on TV here.
I literally roll out of bed at 5 in the morning on Wednesday and Thursday mornings, put on the coffee and excitedly turn on the computer..and presto! I can “watch” the show on the videos you upload..really makes my day. Love that you get the videos of the performances up so fast!
Since I posted this as the last message in the wee hours of the morning on 5/12 headlines it was technically really from 5/13/08 so I am adding it so folks don’t miss the featurette –
Nice feature on Tampa Bay Fox website:
Their Idol correspondent Charlie does a feature on Luna Guitars which are located in Florida.
David Cook gets his real guitar on this coming Wednesday - the others have theirs from top 5. Cook’s (top 5) black guitar will be replaced with a Luna custom white one - very cool! Apparently it took longer because he is a leftie.
Shows all the guitars.
link:
My Fox Tampa Bay
Ah, I love Charlie. He’s such an idol nerd. I really think he does all of the idol coverage because he likes to go to all of the concerts. Seriously, he’s at every one - even when it’s a former contestant’s individual concert.
I really loved the guitar they made for Brooke - that was beautiful. I’ve been by their building before - but all I ever noticed was the word Luna - so I had no idea what they did in there.
I don’t have a link but today on the Kidd Kraddick radio show, they had Jordin on and talked a lot about Idol. It was very entertaining and worth a listen.
I think DA is gonna kick ass on the song he has chosen and will be in the final two. I think that will be amazing. I know DA deserves to be in the final 2. I’ve always believed it would be D and D. The two will make it quite a show.
So many topics today, I`m not sure where this one goes, but I guess it`s a headline.
Nigel speaks out on Jeff:
EW The vocal coach had said Jeff being asked not to participate backstage was more of an issue of fairness, essentially that David Cook and Syesha Mercado don’t have anyone helping them out choosing songs or making arrangements.
Nigel: No, no, no. It has nothing to do with fairness. We just want everyone to have an equal opportunity, and if that’s fairness, fine. But this is more of just the fact of let’s take some pressure away here, you know? It’s like anybody appearing in front of their mom and dad. Let’s just open up the pressure cooker, release the pressure, and you just get on and do what you gotta do.
Actually, the entire thing is very nuanced. Typical Nigel.
We just want David to be able to be free like everybody else to get on and do what they want to do.
Hmmmm….interesting take on it.
EW