Did anybody else think Ryan Seacrest's
high-collared shirt looked like he just returned from a shift as a Candy Striper at the hospital? He just threw on a
jacket and tie and showed up to host American Idol. By the way, did you think there was tension between Seacrest
and Paula? Yeah, I didn't see it either.When I saw that Andrea Bocelli and his producer, David Foster, were going to be on the show, I thought that seemed like an odd match. It turns out, it was. Very odd. Bocelli didn't really seem to help the contestants much and his producer only butchered their songs. The complicated arrangements did weed out the professional singers from the weak ones (ahem, Kellie Pickler).
Katharine: Let me tell you what I noticed about this performance: panty
line, boobs, and possible shot of her hoochie-coo. That dress was coming unbuttoned from the bottom with every step she
took. Kat chose the one Whitney Houston song that I think we've heard in this competition every year. It needs to be
banned from this program. The three judges hated her performance and flat-out told her she was no Whitney (thank God,
'cuz last I heard, that chick is coked out). I didn't think she was nearly as bad as the judges made her out to be. She
started out weak, but I didn't think she was "pitchy", as Paula described. She definitely sounded better in
the vocal warm-ups with Andrea Bocelli than she sounded on stage tonight.
Elliot: Wow, he was super nervous in the chit chat with Ryan, wasn't he? Luckily, he got a chance
to calm down during the video segment. Elliot really nailed the beginning of the song, but I got kind-of bored with it
about two-thirds of the way through. It sounded terrific the entire time, flawless, even, but the song just seemed to
get laborious. I'm going to side with Randy and blame it on the arrangement. I didn't love it as much as Paula, who
cried. But, I do agree with Simon when he says Elliot is one of the best vocalists up on stage.
Kellie: This chick is not ready for what it means to win American Idol. It is time for Kellie Pickler to go. She'd make a great regular on
Leno's Jaywalking segment. I think her performance tonight pretty much clinched that. She started out very flat and
pretty much stayed flat. And she seemed very uncomfortable with the arrangement. What is with the love affair with the
high note? It sounded terrible- like a squeak, and I didn't want to hear any more of it. I'm done with this girl. She's
gone as far as she can go.
Paris: I don't think Paris
understood this song. She sang the beginning of it with a smile on her face. If the girl had ever seen The Way We Were, she'd know that it's a painful song, not a victorious one. Still,
she sounded great. I was so thrilled that Andrea Bocelli and David Foster told her to take it easy at the beginning. So
many of these contestants insist on belting out the entire song. It was a nice, slow beginning with a power ending. Did
she over-sing it? Probably. But, she still sounds terrific when she does it.
Taylor: Wow, Taylor was totally subdued for the first half of that song. I almost lost interest
until he started belting it out and then I started paying attention again. Simon's comment that he looked
"uptight" was dead-on. Taylor was actually... boring. Even though he doesn't deserve it, this could be the
end of the road for him.
Chris: I
think Chris is the only contestant who actually was helped by Bocelli and Foster. Laying down on the floor helped him
sing better... and boy, did he sing! Maybe it was the guitars on stage with him, but I found that entire performance
very sexy (interestingly, so did Simon). I would've liked it to be even slower, but this is American Idol and we have to keep things moving. Up until Chris' performance, Elliot was my favorite
but Chris really brought his A-game tonight. This guy is totally going to win this thing.
Best: Chris Daughtry
Worst: SEND KELLIE PACKING
Possible replacement for Simon: David Foster
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
4-26-2006 @ 4:32AM
Jon said...
I thought Chris just did the same glaring and screaming/goat sounds he does every week. He's OK, but he's not that great.
I thought Elliott gave one of the best Idol performances ever, even with that atrocious band. He is just so talented, beyond any description.
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4-26-2006 @ 7:08AM
Matt Cascarino said...
You, and a lot of other people need to change the batteries in your Miracle Ear!! While I agree the Kellie wasted two minutes of my life that I'll never get back and Taylor was abysmal at best, I simply can't understand America's love affair with Chris Daughtry. One of the most talented? Yes. But better than Elliot? Not even close. Elliot can best Chris' "A-game" with his mouth closed. Did you even watch the show last night? Elliot took the top spot handily, while Chris once again fouled the stage with his blank puppy dog stare and penchant for Backstreet-esque facial hair. If anything, his credit should go to the individual who suggested the Spanish guitars. Next week, please make sure you watch with the sound on.
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4-26-2006 @ 7:26AM
Rabbit said...
Anna, For the most part, I thought you were right on with your critique. I don't fully agree with Matt regarding Chris. I did think the guitars were genius. But, Chris did have a couple of rough notes and I didn't think there was the originality to that song that there should have been. But, all in all, I thought Chris's performance was impressive as always.
I was very confused by Taylor's performance until he picked it up in his usual way toward the end. He looked very uncomfortable and not at all his normally happy self. For a good part of the song he hit a number of bad notes which made me very nervous for him this week.
What the hell was up with Paula and the tears? I didn't get it and I guess Simon didn't either. I thought Elliot sounded great but he didn't move me to tears.
Frankly, I think it is time for Kellie to go. She has likeability -- very cute, very sweet, but she doesn't doesn't have the chops for this competition.
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4-26-2006 @ 7:27AM
Lauren Dunegan said...
I've (sort of) been rooting for Kelly but no more. Each week now only serves to show up her limitations and her ditzy blond attitude has worn me out. She has to go! Katherine comes on as almost too perfect in looks and appearance (she needs to get someone to dress her properly), but what a voice! With proper song selection she'll last to the end. I wish Chris would show a little more enthusiasm for what they're doing there. Elliot hasn't been among my favorites but I voted for him as often as I could last night so he can stay on to entertain us. Paris is cute and has the voice to get the job done, but I'm not sure if she's AI material just yet. Taylor? I don't think so. Too unidimensional. If he can't prance around the stage he's visibly uncomfortable.
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4-26-2006 @ 7:51AM
Elliott said...
Elliott was my fave last night. He finally added a little personality to the song. As an added bonus, if he wins people might spell our names correctly.
Kellie needs a one-way ticket back to Jesusland.
I've never watched Idol before this season, but it seems to me that this part is where it gets interesting. For example, if Kellie is voted off, do her supporters stop voting, or do they start voting for someone else? I think Katharine stands a better chance of earning "pickup" votes over Chris.
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4-26-2006 @ 7:54AM
Renee said...
Yeah, it's past time for Kellie to go home, bless her heart! lol! I think her likeability factor has gone WAAAY to far for this stage of the competition.
What WAS up with Taylor? He had the deer in headlights look. He was not into the song at all, which is rare for him. Very strange.
I agree with you Matt about Chris vs. Elliot, but I think it is a style choice. I would prefer to listen to Chris rock it on my radio than Elliott. I think as far as the voters, we have seen great voices like Ruben and Fantasia win, only to hear little about them after that. America wants someone like Chris to win because he sings songs that would be really sell and be played in today’s market. Or at least that's what I think, which doesn’t mean a thing...lol! Thanks for listening!
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4-26-2006 @ 8:21AM
Missy said...
I thought Chris was by far the best last night but judging by the other blog comments maybe he does not have as many fans as I thought.
I am a huge Taylor fan but last night he just did not have that usual love for singing that he usually has. I hope that doesn't get him kicked out this week. It should be Kellie going all the way.
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4-26-2006 @ 8:22AM
Joey Collins said...
While I agree with everyone about Pickler, I fail to see the greatness in Elliot that others are talking about. I thought his performance was solid but nothing I am going to remember in 2 or 3 weeks.What I WILL remember is Katharine McPhee...regardless of what you thought of her singing last night, has their EVER been an Idol contestant who looked so unbelievable? I would have voted for her for president last night
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4-26-2006 @ 8:47AM
Stuart Gordon said...
I'm sorry, guys, but I recommend you go back and listen and watch Kat's performance again ... quite possibly one of the best in five years. Either the judges had been told to undermine her, or they were ticked off about the wardrobe malfunction, but they could not have been so off on this performance without an underlying motive.
Oh, and nice favoritism: drowning out all the other contestants with overwhelming orchestral arrangements (Taylor screwed) while favoring Chris with two accoustic guitars.
My pick for a return to Green Acres: Kelly.
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4-26-2006 @ 8:56AM
emilie said...
I am in complete agreement with you, Anna, about Elliot and Chris. I have loved Elliot's voice since his first audition but knew he had little chance of winning because he lacked "star" quality. Last night, he showed that he CAN have charisma and use his vocal gifts in a moving, emotion-packed way. But then I was completely BLOWN AWAY by Chris!! He was in a league by himself last night, and Andrea Boccelli's idea for him to sing lying on the floor brought a whole new register and depth to his voice. He is the whole package, and proved to me definitively last night that he deserves to win. As much as I love Kellie, I agree that her lack of experience and vocal coaching are showing badly now. But, being from rural NC, let me assure all of you skeptics that she is NOT a phony...we really are that way! LOL Katherine has a great voice but is coming across as way too high on herself, and she has turned me off. Taylor last night was, once again, simply bizarre. Paris is too young but she will have a great career somewhere other than Idol.
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4-26-2006 @ 8:57AM
Vince said...
This seems more like a personality competition now than a singing contest. Taylor has his charisma to thank for getting this far; Pickler gets the mileage out of her down-home shtick. And Daughtry is the odds-on favorite for his distinctive alt-rock style. I agree with David Foster that Daughtry sings from his throat way too much. And they are still giving Daughtry the best stage and light show of any contestant.
McPhee looked and sang fantastic. Killer bod, no doubt now. I think she's been holding back so far. She could hold her own in her duet with Bocelli, and that says a lot. As for the judges savaging her, well, even Whitney Houston doesn't sound like Whitney Houston anymore.
I think the judges were blatantly trying to push McPhee & Paris out, and boost Yamin & Daughtry. Maybe they want a Yamin/Daughtry showdown in the final 2 so that (I hate to keep saying this) they'll be guaranteed to have their 1st white male winner.
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4-26-2006 @ 9:00AM
Kira said...
Chris was BY FAR the best last night, and the most consistent all season. He has the entire package to be an American Idol and sell a lot of albums.
Kellie...time to go girlfriend...two weeks in a row I had to fast forward my Tivo after 10 seconds. You are outta your league.
Paris is great, but she's just not contemporary at all....not to mention I couldn't handle all the interviews with that voice.
Katherine...did she sing? All I saw were those Moon Pies threatening to pop out the whole time.
Elliot, I guess his voice is technically good, but he still remialns boring as wallpaper. Boring singer, who sings boring songs, and has a boring personality. Not my cup of tea.
Taylor, a definate unmemorable performance, but I still think Taylor is the second most marketable performer/singer after Chris. He has the most Charisma by far and the vocal cops to boot. He should be in the finals with Chris.
My pick to win: Still Chris
My pick to go: Kellie...but please Elliot soon!
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4-26-2006 @ 9:09AM
Nancy said...
Taylor's dad said they made him change his song 2 days before and he didn't want to sing that particular song. Why do they do this? I think I would have been not into it either. Although when I watched it back it did sound so much better. Also, what is up with Chris getting the last spot so much. I think they are doing everything possible to get him to win. I wonder if he had to change his song 2 days before his performance. And, Bocelli and Foster had good things to say about Taylor about his voice and carissma!!!
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4-26-2006 @ 9:24AM
Meg said...
I thought Elliot was wonderful again last night, and really hope he stays to the end. Chris was also wonderful, however he is getting very cocky and better watch himself or he will be finding himself getting kicked off. Paris and Taylor I have never liked from the very start, and after last night I can not wait to see them both go. Kellie was a huge disappointment last night. The song was boaring, and she sang it horrible. I would still like to see her sign again next week. What was with Kathrine last night?? He song choice was horrible, but the dress was even worse. She is a beautiful girl, but last night she looked like 10 pounds of sugar poured into a 5 pound sack. Her boobs were hanging out, she had fat rolls showing on her back, and saddle bags showing on her legs. What was she thinking wearing a dress two sizes to small. I would love to see the last two people to be Elliot and Chris.
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4-26-2006 @ 9:43AM
Tom said...
I think that if this show got over itself and started a) matching up artists that the show's viewers generally cared about and b) stopped choosing stupid nights to show musical genres that do nothing for anyone (Simon should never be saying "I guess I just hate country music" frankly.) we wouldn't have these weeks where someone who didn't deserve to get voted off does because voters don't care about past performance as much as they do what happened that particular week. I, for one, don't think the voting should work that way, but what can you do.
In any case, I thought Chris was excellent, and that Elliot was good as well, and that Kat worked out pretty well. The music hurt a lot of people, in the eyes of the judges, but I can't say that will sway the voters. What concerns me about Kellie is that she may snag Bucky's voters, so it's hard to say that she could just take a walk off the plank this week or not. Then again, Paula's comments might go far when she says that she's just not seeing her pick up steam at all.
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4-26-2006 @ 9:47AM
jamtvman said...
well i had a crappy week last week with predictions, but i'll try again.
i think kat is fab and i thought she did great. first time they showed some skin with her, and i see why. she needs to slim down a bit (though not as much as kelly clarkson) to be a real star. still she is hot.
elliott- still can't stand the guy or anything that he sings.
kellie- end of the line for her. on her best nights she sings okay, but she's not anywhere near capable enough to pull this off.
taylor- i have the same thought every time i see him- what kind of record does he make? sure he can entertain, but is he a singing star?
paris- she can sing. i don't think she's got the rest of the package. if she was a bad girl, she'd have a chance as a singer. not sure how the squeeky voice and image play today- seems like all the teen stars go "bad" to keep their popularity.
chris- he is growing on me.
bottom 3- kellie, elliot, paris.
going...kellie!
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4-26-2006 @ 10:00AM
jimmyb said...
ok..conspiricy theory, smoking gun, trust no one and all that.....
added too all the stuff about idol wanting a white male winner....
last nite was classic love songs....
HOW ON EARTH DID CHRIS GET TO DO A BRYAN ADAMS SONG??
which of course made him the best of the nite..
2nd to elliott [ much judge love ]
and they crushed the girls..[ only kelly deserving ]
did anyone else notice that the judges mike's were on during the recap?? i couldnt understand what they were saying but boy i wish i could have....
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4-26-2006 @ 10:06AM
Maria said...
I thought your commentary was right on Lacy!!
Def noticed Kat's panty lines and bulges!! she so should have wore a girdle!! I do agree, that nobody can sing Whitney, however,,,,, I thought she did pretty good and I was surprised by the judges responses, but I loved it because I don't like her and I hope their responses will make her a little more humble!! Notice at the end when they are all standing there, she stands apart from everyone else.
Paula, Paula, Paula - Tears??? C'MON!!! Get a grip, she is whack!! And Simon got annoyed that she cut him off again.... LOL,,, and at one point, I think he or Ryan said,,,, what was all that supposed to mean - She cannot speak!!
I thought Chris was great and I thought that laying down thing really helped him - I liked him a lot last night!!
Yeh,,, Kellie has reached the end of the road - We gave her a chance last week when she sucked, but two weeks in a row, will not cut it - She knows she's doing poorly and her self-confidence is gone, so I think she will probably expect to be eliminated tongiht.
I thought Elliot was good too - Not to bring me to tears though,,, He doesn't even come close to "moving me" LOL
I've said it before, for the past couple of weeks, Taylor is losing his personality - He reminded me a lot of George Clooney last night.. I think TAylor is becoming better looking!!! He does need to relax though.
Paris def has pipes,,, but I think every song she sings sounds the same at this point,, and I'm not sure if that's a good thing.
Wow,, I cannot believe we are down to the bottom six and tomorrow the bottom 5 - Anyone can go - I think it should be Kellie cause she had 2 bad performances, but I know she is well liked, so who the hell knows what will happen!!
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4-26-2006 @ 10:07AM
Maria said...
Oh, snap - I just realized Lacy didn't write this - Nice commentary, ANNA...
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4-26-2006 @ 10:22AM
jimmyb said...
who is advising these kids??...once again...
strange ..
someone would tell kat to sing whitney houston.and sex it up...
poor paris..should she be 17 or what?? they dress her like she's 50
AND KELLY'S HAIR??
taylor's music and lighting..
i never thought i'd say this..but i think the only sincere person on the show is SEACREST..
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