Comments on: Kristy Lee Cook, Michael Johns, Ramiele Malubay and Chikezie – Larry King Live – VIDEO – With Tour Spoilers!

By: lavender1960

lavender1960 — Mon, 26 May 2008 23:34:44 +0000

I didn’t think Dream On was Karoke myself, I don’t know many people who would dare to attempt the song let alone do a good job singing it and to me it is the kind of anthemic song that you don’t dare mess around with. I can say I don’t care who would have sang Dream On, I am not sure I would appreciate any tampering of it. I mean was his brilliant rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody Karoke? You don’t mess with Bohemian Rhapsody, that is a sacrilege.

The theme was inspirational songs. Before we heard what the songs were going to be I looked up all the inspirational songs lists for the US and guess what, Dream On is on every single list. So all the people that compile these lists sure thought Dream On was an inspirational song.

Even if you didn’t like his singing, he certainly was nowhere near the worst of the night. Again my theory and I am sticking it to it, is that clearly people were voting for the Idols that Simon said were in trouble and assumed MJ was safe because he had not been in the bottom three yet.

What his elimination shows is that you can never take granted that your favourite will be safe and you have to vote your heart out each and every week, like all the Cook fans did, esp after Simon trashed the poor guy all final performance night did and it showed with that 12 million vote spread.

I love this guy’s voice and I am not alone. Been waiting for some good blue eyed soul for a very long time and I love this guy’s pre-Idol solo album – the lyrics are sexy the singing is sexy so I look forward to the next album, mate! Just you and Cookie stick to your guns!

By: lavender1960

lavender1960 — Mon, 26 May 2008 23:22:17 +0000

Did I hear people over here are calling Michael arrogant because he keeps saying he was shocked to get voted off when he did……..please give me a break.

I recommend watching the tape again, Paula’s jaw is on the floor, and even Simon and Randy have their mouths opened and stunned. Come on most of the AI audience were stunned. The other contestants were stunned. Carly said they usually get ready for dinner after the show and are all chatty but this time everyone was in such shock they didn’t know what to say for about 20 – 30 minutes.

People keep telling MJ they were shocked, I was shocked to see him in the bottom 3 let alone voted out, and people keeps asking him how he felt when he was voted out. As you will see with David Cook you get asked the same question one million times you give the same answer on auto pilot.

If MJ wasn’t your cup of tea fine. But the fact Michael was shocked is hardly a sign of arrogance. It is merely common sense based on the facts as they stood. He has said he didn’t expect to win but just to make it farther down the line. Why people didn’t vote for him is anyone’s guess. Likely vote splitting and people thinking MJ was safe and voting for other faves that seemed to be in trouble. Water under the proverbial bridge.

Like Michael, I am glad David Cook won – he was my No. 2 boy and he deserves it.

By: Bouffe

Bouffe — Mon, 26 May 2008 20:06:39 +0000

I agree about Larry. ItÃƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s always been cringeworthy watching him butcher names and obviously not have a clue. Interesting song choices but am so annoyed that KLC is doing that song. WasnÃƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t it enough pandering to do it during the show?

I wonder if she’ll do it in Canada? Last year, Phil Stacey and the girls did not sing … Oh shoot, I forget the title of the song (American the Beautiful perhaps?)… Anyway, that song Phil sang while dressed in uniform, they didn’t do it in Canada…

By: purplesmile

purplesmile — Mon, 26 May 2008 09:17:00 +0000

ThereÃƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a clip of them all at the end of the concert last night. Michael does a dorky dance near the end.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=KAl4KL44mRY

Awww. I just realized that little girl MJ hugged at the end is the Filipina girl who was on Ellen and Oprah recently, Charice Pempengco. Lucky girl! Heh. I met her about three weeks ago (very, very sweet girl) and hugged her, so I’ll just think I was somehow hugging MJ with her. Hee. LOL :tongue1_tb:

By: flynnsgirl

flynnsgirl — Mon, 26 May 2008 06:26:04 +0000

I never understood the MJ fascination. I think he is so unattractive and has the worst body. Everything he did was just bad karaoke. The only time I even bothered to watch him was Dolly week, I thought that was terrific. I did see the funny though!
As far as all the stuff he has been invited to, I don’t think it has anything to do specifically with MJ. I was/am a huge Ace Young fan and Ace got invited to the White House and many, many different functions the other Idols did not go to. I think it’s more the timing of when you leave the show. Also a personality thing, Ace is extremely personable and MJ seems to be the same.

By: sumidol

sumidol — Mon, 26 May 2008 06:22:01 +0000

Just a sidenote and could be a little Idol related? Journey with their new discovery Arnel will be on Ellen the day after Cook is on next week. I wonder if they will have Randy show up? Hope not – and sorry the new guy is NOT Steve Perry but I know a voice like that cannot go on forever and ever, Arnel is very good. Anyhow, half my work will be in the audience that day, they were hoping the taping would have been the same day as Cook but no such luck!

By: Duke

Duke — Mon, 26 May 2008 05:11:57 +0000

does anyone know if the Carly/MJ duet from Finale night is on iTunes…either the video or audio version?? i cant find it.

By: sumidol

sumidol — Sun, 25 May 2008 20:38:30 +0000

Chiachi, you did not offend. The ones I mentioned arent people I would go out and buy cds of or get too excited to see. I was just thinking that David Foster is a good connection for anyone let alone MJ. Hopefully he will do good for him and Cook and MJ are so close and planning to work together, connections like that could only work in someones favor?? I dont know, that is just my small opinion. My personal fav’s are in a completely different direction then those mentioned also – I am a huge Pumpkins, Staind fan(I will forever love Steve Perry and no one sings quite like him). Well now I am also a huge Castro and Cook fan!!

By: Chipmunk

Chipmunk — Sun, 25 May 2008 17:36:38 +0000

MJ was one of my favs too, but I agree with Chachi to some extend..There is that “something” missing. ANd to hear him go on and on about how his leaving was a shocker is a big turn off!

By: chachi

chachi — Sun, 25 May 2008 17:32:21 +0000

Oh, guys, I didn’t mean to offend you if you like that type of thing, but I very much don’t. I don’t like a single one of those people you named, sum, and if Michael wasn’t pissing me off with his attitude right now, I would think that he is above that type of thing. He has a soulful quality to his voice when he sings the right type of song. David Foster seems mostly like elevator type music to me and he’s pretty much a jackass who has a very narrow view of talent and potential.

A lot of people in the music industry aren’t humble, but they still need to be able to sell what they’re singing, and that’s Michael’s biggest problem, for me. There is such a disconnect between him and what he’s singing about. It’s honestly really strange for me to watch, because he looks like he’s trying to sell it, but it’s just not THERE. I don’t know, to me, Michael just doesn’t have “it” even though it seems like he SHOULD because all of the parts are there, but somehow they just don’t come together.

By: sumidol

sumidol — Sun, 25 May 2008 17:20:22 +0000

I do agree that Foster did not do too well with a couple of the past Idols and some of his work may be considered dreck for many but everyone has many hits and many misses. MJ could do worse than be in the company of any of any of the following David Foster success stories.

Barbra Streisand, , Faith Hill, Mariah Carey, Destiny’s Child,i, , Dolly Parton, Gordon Lightfoot, Madonna, Al Jarreau, Kenny Loggins, Natalie Cole, Michael BublÃƒÆ’ ©, [Chicago (band)|Chicago]], Peter Cetera, .

He has produced debut albums for The Corrs,[2] Michael BublÃƒÆ’ ©,[3] Renee Olstead, and Josh Groban.

Foster also composed the score for the film St. Elmo’s Fire,[5] including “Love theme from St. Elmo’s Fire” which hit #15 in US pop charts. Another song from the film, “St. Elmo’s Fire (Man in Motion)”, recorded by John Parr hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on September 7, 1985. He collaborated with then-wife Linda Thompson on the song “I Have Nothing” sung by Whitney Houston in the 1992 film, The Bodyguard. The couple was nominated for a Grammy Award and an Academy Award for Best Song for the song. He won 14 grammys also, not too shabby for dreck

I didnt see it as a “shocker” that he left, my passion was elsewhere but I was disapointed

By: purplesmile

purplesmile — Sun, 25 May 2008 17:04:48 +0000

Oh, chachi, but I would want to hear Michael on my radio… :s

I think Q is a good song, but the one I liked best of all his pre-Idol songs is one called “The Hours In Between.” Too bad the youtube of that seems to have been pulled out.

By: chachi

chachi — Sun, 25 May 2008 16:38:33 +0000

I hate to say this, because I liked Michael a bit after Dolly week, but him and his sense of entitlement just might be my smoke break on tour. He absolutely failed at selling any song on the show except for the Dolly Parton number and his audition. I saw his ouster coming from a mile away, honestly, because he was just. not. any. good. 90% of the time. The idea that it was a “shocker” is pretty laughable to me, so it is especially irritating to hear him say it five million times.

Carly and Michael failed to connect with the audience, yet they keep being shoved back into our faces time and time again, as if at some point, we’ll have to give in. Now Michael is going to go the way of DAVID FOSTER? Seriously? I wouldn’t wish the dreck that David Foster puts out on my worst enemy, but if it means that he will go the way of Kat and I’ll never have to hear him on a radio station that I’d actually listen to, it is probably a good thing.

By: dante

dante — Sun, 25 May 2008 16:27:21 +0000

I am listening to “Q” and really like it. Thanks for the link. DC and Jason are still MY favs but I do think Michael Johns’ has the voice, looks, and personality to be successful.

By: sumidol

sumidol — Sun, 25 May 2008 16:02:13 +0000

My favorite was never Mj – I went back and forth with Cook and Jason but MJ really entertained me. His voice was absolutely no where near Michael Hutchins but his performances were reminiscent of him I had been to many INXS concerts and could see how he worked the stage like him, in my mind anyhow. I llooked forward to Mj each week for that reason, he had the rock star “feel” and look to him – very different than that greasy Constantine, classier and that has obviously been noticied by a very classy bunch of people and being David Fosters pet is better than a kick in the butt and getting invited to the White House is pretty big. Cook and Jason to me had the kind of voices I loved though. One gave me rock and roll and the other a mellower vibe but it was the three of them that I really looked forward to each week for a different reason with each.

By: Chipmunk

Chipmunk — Sun, 25 May 2008 15:50:34 +0000

I thought I was the only one tired of hearing MJ and Carly’s pimps tell us how they “left too soon”!!!!!!!! Like duh….who of the rest was supposed to go before your “highnesses”???

FOr good or bad, each contestant had fans and if in a particular week they didnt vote for you or felt that your performance was below par….Deal with it. The whole MJ overpimping makes me sick.He has a great voice but so do several out there….it takes an extra “”IT factor to make it and maybe he doesnt necessarily have it? And if he does, then may we look forward to great hits from now, instead of reminding everyone everyday he left too soon!!

Thx to those who pointed that out

By: cheese

cheese — Sun, 25 May 2008 15:37:47 +0000

Good for Michael for being David Foster’s new pet! There’s one in every AI class, I think. I’ve loved Michael in all the backstage videos and he seems like a very fun and very funny guy. He was also my favorite after the initial audition rounds, but then he never really impressed me again until the very end of his run, and I had a new favorite by that point. I think his problem was not being good enough in the early rounds to become the absolute favorite of enough people. He certainly had everything going for him coming into the semi-final rounds.

I do love the tone of his voice, but I wasn’t impressed with any of his take on classic rock songs at all and I think he delved into karaoke territory one too many times. (I didn’t enjoy Bohemian Rhapsody or Light My Fire, which I guess were supposed to secure his place as a frontrunner coming into the semis). I think he should have played guitar instead of bouncing and waving his arm around.

His performance style is so weird and OTT to me, and I was laughing out loud as he oversang in each of the group numbers on finale night. (I wish he had just gone ahead and grabbed the mic from Bryan Adams, you knew he wanted to!) But it was his last moment to shine on the Idol stage, and I don’t blame him for going for it. It does look like he’s heading for atypical success for an 8th placer, and I will check out whatever he puts out there.

By: SpenserJ

SpenserJ — Sun, 25 May 2008 14:38:24 +0000

I’m with you Bean – I’ll vomit if I have to hear KLC sing that effing song again.

Also – wait – MJ does St Elmo’s Fire? Cool – I’d love to hear that.

By: s0x_prisoner

s0x_prisoner — Sun, 25 May 2008 14:32:15 +0000

Ooh I love the song “Bring Me to Life”. Looking forward to the tour!

By: bean99

bean99 — Sun, 25 May 2008 14:31:13 +0000

I agree about Larry. It’s always been cringeworthy watching him butcher names and obviously not have a clue. Interesting song choices but am so annoyed that KLC is doing that song. Wasn’t it enough pandering to do it during the show? Oh well, it’s better than “8 Days a Week”. :wacko_tb:

According to the AI Michael forum, he did “She’s a Beauty” and “St Elmo’s Fire” and nailed both. I’ll be buying that dvd when it comes out in the fall. :clap_tb:

By: fannatic

fannatic — Sun, 25 May 2008 08:10:28 +0000

LOL Rolltide, I noticed that too. The kids sounded great on the a capella version of Freedom. Better than on the finale. Props to all of them for getting through a Larry King interview. Guy needs to retire.

Larry King is retiring soon. He is considering Ryan Seacrest to replace him.

By: sumidol

sumidol — Sun, 25 May 2008 04:09:03 +0000

MN Sue – thanks for that link – he really does sound good in that and look – all dressed dorky and cute not all rico suave.

By: Fran

Fran — Sun, 25 May 2008 03:58:10 +0000

Even later two cents.

I guess the saying that you can please someone some of the time but not everyone all the time is true on this blog.

In my world, the show is all about Michael. If not for me clicking on the net one day to check out Q and IAWBIA, AI would have barely registered on my radar. Perhaps I might have taken a passing interest but thatÃƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s all. I have since downloaded a lot of his stuff and I am a fan for life.

I discovered something along the way too. I have not embraced the final two like I have with Michael. Could not understand it at first. I do enjoy some of what they do once I got into the show but I am not sure if I would consider following them when its over like I would Michael.

Someone said this on another site Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…â€œCook sells the sizzle but not the steak, which is 110% right and something IÃƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve been TRYING to say but couldnÃƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ t find the right words. Little David on the other hand is the exact oppositeÃƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ . That is very true as far as I am concerned and as for Cook being original. I like Hello and Billie Jean a lot. However I sometimes feel he is using the sameÃƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ templateÃƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ again an appropriate word someone used for a lot of his arrangements. And I am hesitant to add Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦ but IÃƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll do it anywayÃƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦ I cannot help but feel he Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹discoveredÃƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ that template after listening to Chris CornellÃƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s version. He plays the game well and more power to him. I have no doubt both Davids will do well.

Finally, I am with you Maracaibo on so many points. DO is one of my faves and A Day in The Life is getting a lot of play too. He used THAT soft voice and its hot like David Foster said. Whether he chose his songs correctly or not at the end of the day, IÃƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll leave it to the individual to decide, but they are very precious to me and I am grateful he chose them when he did. For anyone who do not appreciate him and thinks he is arrogant I canÃƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t quite get it too. Perhaps I have my MJ blinkers on. He can be cheeky though which makes him even more appealing so I guess weÃƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll just have to agree to disagree.

By: maracaibo

maracaibo — Sun, 25 May 2008 03:50:05 +0000

Sorry mj. I guess I am being too defensive about MJ.
Promise I will let it go.

I did not intend to offend anyones with that comment.
Once again, sorry if it came across the wrong way.

By: mj

mj — Sun, 25 May 2008 03:10:48 +0000

And sorry, if you listen to his performance of Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…â€œItÃƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s All Wrong But ItÃƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s All RightÃƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ and still say he canÃƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t sing, you are definitely deaf.

Anna, I’ve already deleted one of your posts in this thread. If you continue to post in a rude and defensive manner, I’m going to ban you.

By: MN Sue

MN Sue — Sun, 25 May 2008 02:42:26 +0000

As far as Michael not being talented, you should take some time to listen to his pre-idol songs. Why not try looking into this one, Q with his ex-band.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMwgwZijQlQ

Very late two cents: This MJ I could listen to. AI MJ hurt my ears. What’s the difference? Acustic, soft vocal, and no “frowny face”.

By: sciencefan

sciencefan — Sun, 25 May 2008 01:55:59 +0000

Not only am I NOT deaf, I am a singer and a musician, and have been for over 30 years.

By: bean99

bean99 — Sun, 25 May 2008 01:43:50 +0000

No word on if he did “St Elmo’s Fire” but a couple of reports that said he sounded great. A Kat fan said that David Foster predicted great success while introducing Michael.

There’s a clip of them all at the end of the concert last night. Michael does a dorky dance near the end.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=KAl4KL44mRY

Obviously he did get the lowest number of votes that week for whatever reason, Mocha. I think part of it was DC did poorly that week and Jason did well both of which could have siphoned some of MJ’s votes. It doesn’t really matter because he did get elimated. I do believe and have heard that he has a lot of fans who never vote so hopefully they’ll “vote” where it counts and buy his cd.

By: mocha

mocha — Sun, 25 May 2008 01:36:31 +0000

maracaibo, I will grant you IAWBITR for MJ was fantastic easily one of the best performances of anyone this season; that’s the sort of thing he needed to be doing all along in order to make it to the end. Unfortunately he didn’t follow it up with another bluesy, soulful number, he chose to sing Dream On, which IMO was another karaoke performance. Apparently America agreed, and he got the least # of votes.

By: maracaibo

maracaibo — Sun, 25 May 2008 00:50:52 +0000

Gosh… Poor Michael. This blog is definitely not MJ friendly I guess.

He is such a talented, sweet guy. IMO he has a very powerful voice and those of you who can’t appreciate it, well I quite don’t get it.

MJ has been trying to make it in the business for a long time and this was another step forward for him. Please give him a break, it’s not that he won Idol or anything close.

I actually thought all of his Top 12 performances except Top 11 week were quite impressive.
“Across the Universe”, “We Are The Champions”, “It’s all Wrong But It’s All Right” and “Dream On” great.
In fact “Dream On” is one my favorite MJ peformances. He sang that song so well. Perfect for his voice. He just got thrown under the bus by the judges that night.
He’s a rock soul artist and his music will have a feel of a mix of Stones, INXS and Otis Redding.
And sorry, if you listen to his performance of “It’s All Wrong But It’s All Right” and still say he can’t sing, you are definitely deaf.
His I-Tunes tracks are awesome. This guy has an incredible recording voice and I can’t wait for his CD to go buy it.

I just think all the praise he got in the beginning hurt him because people were expecting a lot. Maybe he was not d the best at choosing songs during the show, but he has lots of raw talent. When he picks the right song he is mesmerizing and compelling to watch.
I am positive he will do well if he chooses right and is managed by the right people.
Go Mikey.. Dream On..
I hope you get to live from your music and never go back to teach tennis lessons.