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March 2007
Chris Sligh’s confession
We were right!
We really do love it when that happens.
In a post earlier this week we wondered aloud if Chris Sligh was self-destructing before our very eyes. And, apparently, he was.
In an interview with The Greenville News, his hometown newspaper, Chris admits he nearly quit “American Idol” two weeks ago.
“When I was pretty much universally trashed for my arrangement of ‘Endless Love,’ I kind of thought, ‘You know? This isn’t really the competition for me,’” he said.
So why’d Chris decide to stick around? For the money, of course. The Top 10 finalists are paid handsomely to take part in the “American Idols Live” summer tour.
“I wanted to make the tour,” he said. “I wanted to be able to make music for my living, so I don’t have to work at the marketing company that I was working at.”
Chris plans to lay low for a few weeks, spending time with his lovely wife (How’d he land her, anyway?) and attending church, where his electric guitar performances are often a part of the Sunday services. He’s also just three credits short of a music degree at North Greenville University. And he’d like to shed a few pounds.
Wouldn’t we all?
Idol chatter …
- Look for San Antonio’s Haley Scarnato front and center on the April 9 issue of People, which hits newsstands today.
It should be easy to find. Just look for the only supermarket tabloid that doesn’t have Anna Nicole Smith on the cover.
The magazine’s editors have dubbed Haley “The Hottie,” according to the San Antonio Express-News. And, as you might expect, the accompanying photos show plenty of skin.
- Season 5 winner Taylor Hicks’ new CD isn’t exactly flying off store shelves.
In fact, it’s already dropped off the Billboard Top 200 list.
Ouch. That smarts.
Gasp! Corcoran defends Sanjaya
Michael Corcoran knows music.
He’s covered the local scene for the Austin American-Statesman for something like a zillion years.
So we were shocked — and appalled — when we learned he actually likes Sanjaya Malakar. Here’s what he had to say:
“My ears and eyes must be deceiving me; Sanjaya is not bad at all. From what I heard on Howard Stern and all the piling on in the office on Wednesday mornings, the kid was this year’s William Hung, a big joke that he wasn’t in on. But I called up a couple of his performances on YouTube and he sang on pitch, had a cool look and seemed to be having a blast. Huge careers have been built on less. Stop making this 17-year-old kid your scapegoat, you Sanjaya-hatas. I mean, aren’t you the people that gave us the indistinguishable Taylor Hicks? Without Sanjaya, this would be one of the most forgettable ‘Idol’ seasons. That’s why he’s still going — not Howard Stern.”
Alrighty then.
So, is Corcoran right? Are we being too hard on Sanjaya? Or is the criticism deserved? Now’s your chance to be heard …
Idol chatter …
- The folks at ABC are running scared.
They’ve moved “Notes From the Underbelly,” a new sitcom, to 9 p.m. Wednesdays after Fox announced earlier this week that it was expanding the “Idol” results show to a full hour. The change will keep the two out of direct competition.
Good call, guys.
Fantasia going to Broadway
The “Idol” winner will star in “The Color Purple,” the New York Daily News reports:
Fantasia Barrino’s fans know the R&B diva as a one-named wonder, Fantasia.
But around the hit musical “The Color Purple,” the 22-year-old star could be called the $6 Million Woman.
That’s how much dough has poured into the box office of the hit Oprah Winfrey-produced musical since Feb. 22, when it was announced that the “American Idol” winner would join the show on April 10 in the starring role of Celie.
Fantasia is set to play the part for six months.
The whopping $6 million box-office bump didn’t come as a shock to producer Scott Sanders, who suggested the third-season “Idol” champ to Winfrey. The media queen loved the idea. “I wasn’t sure how immediate the response would be,” says Sanders. “But I was expecting that Fantasia was going to kick things up.”
“I think there is a groundswell of support from fans who know Fantasia’s personal history,” adds Sanders.
Like Celie, the character created by Alice Walker in her best-selling book, Fantasia has grappled with sexual abuse, illiteracy and being a single mom. She has a 5-year-old daughter.
The soulful singer from North Carolina had never seen a Broadway show before producers invited her to “The Color Purple.”
“I know the movie,” she says. “I own the movie. But I never thought I’d be Celie. The show brought me to tears. It’s such a blessing.”
Fantasia arrived this week from Chicago, where she has been working with an acting and vocal coach and the musical’s director, Gary Griffin.
“It’s been a crazy schedule,” she admits.
The hectic schedule might have caught up with her and her good health. Wednesday she was on vocal rest and bravely fighting a case of strep throat.
Some of that $6 million could go toward Ricolas and hot tea.
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Another one bites the dust
Wow, we didn’t see that coming. Not yet, at least.
Chris started the season strong. In fact, at one point, it looked like he was the guy to beat. But where the other finalists — well, most of them — got better with each passing week, Chris seemed to stagnate.
Was he really the worst of the final 10? No way. Several others come to mind. Sanjaya Malakar, of course, tops the list.
The other Chris, Chris Richardson, must be breathing a huge sigh of relief. He was in the bottom two last week and turned in a stinker of a performance Tuesday night. Voters, however, apparently liked what they saw — and heard.
Shudder.
Anyway, the other cellar-dwellers were Phil Stacey and San Antonio’s own Haley Scarnato, in case you’re wondering. And we know you were.
Sanjaya’s safe for another week, courtesy of Howard Stern and VoteForTheWorst.com. No real shock there.
Now excuse us while we curl up into a ball and sob softly in a corner …
Sanjaya steals the show
As you’d expect, Sanjaya Malakar’s fauxhawk has the Web all abuzz today.
Here’s a quick look at what people are saying:
USA Today: “Let’s get it out of the way up front: the much-vilified Sanjaya Malakar stole the show on ‘American Idol’ Tuesday. Not by superior singing (he was better than usual but hopelessly outclassed by his rivals), but by setting new standards for hair-raising adventure by sporting an astonishing fauxhawk. Perhaps he was auditioning for a modernized Disney Channel revival of Davy Crockett in which the title character doesn’t bother with a cap, instead affixing the raccoon tail directly to his natural hair.”
Chicago Tribune: “Where’s the ‘American Idol’ crying girl when you need her? When trying to take in Sanjaya Malakar’s Tuesday hairdo on ‘American Idol,’ let’s be real. The only option was to cry. Until you threw up. Every week, the only real reason to watch Sanjaya’s performance is to see what he did with that shaggy mane of his. And that bizarre fauxhawk/ponytail combo he wore on Tuesday — well, as often happens with Sanjaya’s performances — words fail. Did he actually sing? I was so stunned by the outrageously bad hair that I could hardly take in anything auditory.”
MSNBC: “Whether you like or dislike the style, one thing’s for sure: that hair is as big as his courage!”
Houston Chronicle: “Why, Sanjaya, why? So much criticism, so much controversy — and you show up with a feather duster on your head.”
St. Paul Pioneer Press: “My favorite Idol may have muffed a few of the lyrics, but that hair — seven individual ponytails that formed a faux mohawk — was utterly magnificent.”
Racine, Wis., Journal Times: “It’s Week 6 of Sanjayagate on ‘American Idol,’ and, well, let’s just say Sanjaya Malakar certainly didn’t disappoint with Tuesday’s, um, performance. After I composed myself from nearly uncontrollable fits of giggling at his Marvin the Martian hairstyle and generally uninspired, hilariously weak performance of ‘Bathwater,’ I realized he’s just mocking us now. Seriously. He knows he’s become a national joke and he’s throwing it back in our faces.”
The Buffalo News: “Wow, Sanjaya’s hair! It’s up in a tall faux-hawk, with the long part pulled up into seven pretty, poufy ponytails. Apparently he also sings, or something, but it’s forgettable.”
Fort Worth Star-Telegram: “What. Is. He. Thinking. The hair, the song choice. I don’t know where to start. Would that be a fauxnytail-hawk?”
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: That mohawk (or pony-hawk, as Ryan later calls it) is far more absurd than the one Nadia did a couple years ago. He sure likes to mess around with his hair, eh? It’s distracting but I still managed to catch him missing a word in the second verse.”
We could go on … and on … and on. But you get the gist. Sanjaya is a threat to civilization as we know it, and he must be stopped. Do your part today and cast a vote for one of the other finalists. In fact, cast several votes. We won’t tell.
Photo courtesy of The Associated Press
No doubt about it, this is bananas
Can we just get this over with and name Melinda Doolittle the next “American Idol”?
Seriously. No one else even comes close. And we’ve got things to do. Things other than sitting on the couch and shouting at the TV for an hour and seven minutes.
But, noooooo. The “fine” folks at Fox insist on dragging it out. There’s money to be made, after all. Lots of it, according to this article from Forbes.
We digress. Here, without further delay, is our assessment of Tuesday night’s performances.
LaKisha Jones: “Last Dance,” Donna Summer. What happened to the fired-up singer we saw at the start of the season? LaKisha has definitely lost some of her luster. Don’t get us wrong. She still manages to always turn in a good performance, but we’re just not digging her like we used to. It almost seems like her heart’s not in it anymore. Paula: “Donna Summer’s not an easy artist to start out with, and you did her proud.” Our grade: B
Chris Sligh: “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic,” Police. Here’s another hopeful whose star isn’t burning quite as bright these days. Didn’t sound right, and didn’t look comfortable. Gliding along the stage didn’t really help any, either. Is Chris self-destructing right before our eyes? Certainly seems that way. Simon: “To be honest with you, I thought it was a mess.” Our grade: C-
Gina Glocksen: “I’ll Stand by You,” Pretenders. Whoa! Gina rocked the house. We certainly didn’t see that coming. Sounded like we were listening to a Pretenders CD. An absolute stunner that had the house on its feet — and rightfully so. Randy: “I thought this was one of your best performances ever.” Our grade: A
Sanjaya Malakar: “Bathwater,” No Doubt. No, no, no! We can’t take this anymore. Sanjaya is a joke, and it’s a travesty that he’s still in this competition. Sounded awful, as usual. Looked atrocious, as usual. The Mohawk was quite possibly the most tragic hairdo in the history of our great nation. Seems to be getting really cocky. Not a very endearing quality. Simon: “I don’t think it matters anymore what we say. I think you are in your own universe.” Our grade: D
Haley Scarnato: “True Colors,” Cyndi Lauper. We don’t care what others are saying. Haley rocks — and she’s a definite contender. Smooth sound and a great look. A little too safe? Probably. We’ll find out Wednesday whether that was a shrewd move on her part. Simon: “I think it was sweet, but forgettable really.” Our grade: B-
Phil Stacey: “I’ll Be Watching You,” Sting. We find it hard to watch Phil. There’s something very creepy about him. Blunt, but true. Musically, he’s not half bad. Tries a little too hard. But is he “Idol” material? We say no. Randy: “I actually kinda liked that. I thought it was a pretty solid performance for you.” Our grade: B
Melinda Doolittle: “Heaven Knows,” Donna Summer. Absolutely amazing. We once again urge the judges to end this fiasco and crown her the winner. Melinda totally gets into any song she performs. And the best part? She’s modest. A performer without a trace of ego. We absolutely love that. You go, girl! Simon: “Vocally you were outstanding, as usual.” Our grade: A+
Blake Lewis: “Love Song,” The Cure. There’s another side to Blake. A tame side. A side we haven’t seen before. And we really, really like it. That versatility is going to help him make it to the very end. If we were to place a bet today, we’d say Blake and Melinda will be the final two. Paula: “Blake, I loved what you did with the song. I thought it was so cool.” Our grade: A-
Jordin Sparks: “Hey Baby,” No Doubt. We love this song. When it comes on the radio, we pump up the volume. But when Jordin sings it? Not so much. Lacked energy. Moves weren’t that great, and neither were the duds. Overall, a pretty lame performance for this late in the competition. Simon: “I think you are probably the most improved contestant we’ve seen.” Our grade: D
Chris Richardson: “Don’t Speak,” No Doubt. We think Chris is homesick. That’s the only logical explanation for tonight’s performance. He must want to go home. He’s no Gwen Stefani, that’s for sure. And listening to him try to emulate her made us nauseous. So. Very. Weak. Simon: “I wasn’t crazy about the vocals. I think you struggled in the middle of that song.” Our grade: F
Our pick to get the boot is Chris Richardson. He was in the bottom two last week, and this week’s performance certainly won’t help any. Jordin’s also vulnerable. Sanjaya? Right or wrong, he’s going to be around at least a few more weeks. God help us all.
Behind the scenes at ‘Idol’
What’s it like to see “American Idol” in person? Chuck Barney of the Contra Costa Times found out:
HOLLYWOOD — Here’s the scary part of abandoning the privacy of your living room to partake in a live “American Idol” performance: When you leap out of your seat to shake your groove thing, you risk coming under the scrutiny of not only fellow audience members, but possibly 30 million sneering viewers across America.
And, if that isn’t daunting enough, consider that there are no fridge runs during commercial breaks.
Still, the prospect of such horrors couldn’t keep me from trekking to Southern California last Tuesday for an up-close-and-personal encounter with pop culture’s biggest phenomenon. Every season, thousands of “Idol” worshippers do the same. It isn’t enough for them to passively experience the show through glass. No, they have to be where the action is — where they can fully lose themselves in a Melinda Doolittle power ballad, or have Simon Cowell within striking distance when they shower him with boos.
The first thing that hits you upon arriving at Stage 36 on the CBS Television City lot is the smallness of the place. What seems like a cavernous concert hall on television is actually a cozy little bandbox with only 600 chairs spread out in front of an oblong florescent stage. So although the seats reserved for me and my companion (Section D, Row 7, Seats 6 and 7) are perched near the back of the studio, they are still close enough to blow a kiss to Paula Abdul.
Also, it quickly becomes apparent that audience members are expected to behave in a certain I’m-cuckoo-for-”Idol” manner. “You’re not at ‘Dr. Phil,’ you’re at the No. 1 show in America!” roars warm-up comic Bill Sindelar, who prods us to stomp our feet, clap our hands and all but bark like trained seals. Everyone, it seems, is willing to play along. There’s a genuine, lucky-to-be-here vibe among the crowd, which runs the gamut from swooning preteens to middle-aged couples and gray-haired grandmas.
In a play for quality camera time, many of them are lugging around homemade signs, which are heartily welcomed as long as they don’t get in the way of host Ryan Seacrest’s teleprompter. “Jordin Sparks Sparkles,” proclaims one banner. “Blake, You Cook My Steak!” reads another. Cheesy, yes, but also somewhat endearing.
It feels weird to be watching “Idol” at 5 p.m., but the early start is required to beam the show live back to the East Coast. Only minutes before airtime, Simon, Paula and fellow judge Randy Jackson are introduced. Like rock stars, they dash through the crowd, shaking hands and getting some hugs along the way. Oh, it’s good to be king.
This is “British Invasion” theme night — Peter Noone of Herman’s Hermits is in the house! — and we’re down to 11 contestants, so the competition is intensifying. It’s no surprise, then, that leadoff singer Haley Scarnato has sexed things up with a gold halter top and brown hot pants that are sure to have the teen boys going gaga. Meanwhile, LaKisha Jones is decked out in $1 million worth of diamonds. Or so we’re told.
As for the actual performances, it’s amazing how dramatically different they come across live. With an impressive orchestra going full throttle, the sound has a power and lushness that can get lost in TV translation.
And so it’s only natural for the audience to get swept up into a hand-clapping, fist-pumping frenzy. On the downside, the robust music has a way of drowning out some vocal imperfections. So although we were actually enjoying the tornado of wild hair and flailing limbs that was Sanjaya Malakar on “You Really Got Me,” many couch potatoes at home were finding it to be spectacularly atrocious.
What’s cool about being there is that you have the entire breadth of the scene in front of you at all times, so you can focus on what you prefer to rather than what the swooping, dive-bombing cameras single out. I often found myself observing the judges and being surprised at how preoccupied they seemed during the performances. Paula and Simon playfully whisper to one another throughout the telecast, and at one point he even gives her a back rub. You wonder: Do they actually hear the songs?
During commercial breaks, the judges usually make a beeline for the door while Sindelar tosses out free T-shirts to frothing fans. On one occasion, however, Simon sticks around to take questions from the crowd.
Q: “Are you paid to be mean?”
A: “No, I’m paid to be honest.”
On this night, at least, prime time’s biggest bully fails to make anybody cry.
That, however, can’t be said for Sanjaya, who has an adorable 13-year-old girl sobbing after he trolls the crowd and makes puppy-dog eyes at her.
Knowing good TV when he sees it, a cameraman swiftly invades her space, practically burrowing his lens into her nostrils. Throughout the night, attention is increasingly lavished on the soggy-faced little lass until, as the show winds down, she is summoned onto the stage with all the “Idol” wannabes. On Thursday morning, she’s interviewed by Meredith Vieira in the “Today” show studio as “the ultimate Idol fan.”
Oh, but what about me? Amazingly, I get what appears to be my own chance at “Idol” glory when bushy-haired singer Chris Sligh chooses to launch his rendition of “You’re Not There” in the aisle just an arm’s length in front of us. My mug instantly takes on an “I’m-ready-for-my-close-up” kind of glow, but alas, the shot is so far back that I’m left out of the frame. Curses!
Let that be a lesson to everyone in this era of reality TV overkill. If you want to make the camera love you, be prepared to turn on the waterworks.
As with any other television show, tickets to “American Idol” are free. But they might as well be invaluable, considering how difficult they are to obtain. The soundstage on the CBS Television City lot where “Idol” is filmed holds about 600 audience members. So after tickets are doled out to friends and family members, network associates and VIPs, only a precious few remain for the general public. Fans can obtain ticket information and register for the show’s waiting list by visiting the “On Camera Audiences” Web site,. Be aware, however, that the wait can sometimes be as long as a year, and you can’t request specific dates. You must take the dates assigned or be put back on the waiting list. Only two tickets are available per request, and they are not available to children younger than 8. No cell phones, cameras or recording devices are allowed in the performances.
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Sanjaya’s hairy situation
Ever pictured Sanjaya Malakar with Gwen Stefani’s hair? The Washington Post has.
Meanwhile, Julie Hinds of the Detroit Free Press makes the case for Sanjaya:
It feels like a day for thankless tasks, so I’ll go ahead and make the case in defense of Sanjaya Malakar.
Somebody has to.
The 17-year-old “American Idol” contestant is the country’s new laughingstock. Late-night comics ridicule him. Critics have exhausted the synonyms for awful in their quest to describe him. A young woman from New York is so upset by his presence on the show she claims to be on a hunger strike until he’s voted off — and she’s chronicling her protest, of course, on the Web.
Hating Sanjaya is the new fad of disposable culture. Nobody cares much about the diaper-wearing astronaut anymore. The will to wallow in the Anna Nicole Smith saga is waning. Yet nearly every night last week, you could flip the channels and count the references to Sanjaya’s ineptness made by ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel, MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough, Comedy Central’s Stephen Colbert and on and on.
Sanjaya-bashing is now No. 1 with a bullet, and I’m still trying to figure out why.
Is it because he’s the weakest singer among the Top 10? Fair enough, but I don’t remember anyone resorting to starvation when John Stevens was doing Frank Sinatra impressions on the show a few years back.
Sanjaya is merely one of a long line of “Idol” guys who’ve survived past their logical expiration date. If you thought his performance of “You Really Got Me” last Tuesday was a train wreck, picture Kevin (Chicken Little) Covais from last season attempting it. Or burly Scott Soval from Season 4. Or Jim Verraros from the debut year.
Those images aren’t pretty, but Sanjaya is, with his warm smile, bronze skin and wavy hair, and that’s part of the problem. He has a nonthreatening, slightly feminine vibe that appeals to preteen girls, like a many a bubble-gum Tiger Beat poster boy before him. This makes him an easy target. “Idol” producers practically painted a bull’s-eye on his back last week by cutting a zillion times to close-ups of Ashley, the sobbing young fan whose Sanjaya worship was parodied over the weekend by “Saturday Night Live.”
Sanjaya is undoubtedly loathed by those who are serious about popular music. Although he’d need handlers and heavy tinkering in the studio to hide his flaws, he’s already gotten more exposure in a few weeks than many aspiring artists of true vision will get in a lifetime. Somewhere, a garage band that’s waiting to be discovered is crying harder than Ashley because of this.
Sanjaya might still be on the show because of VotefortheWorst.com and Howard Stern, who are rooting for his survival as a way to mess with the show’s premise. Some muse he must have reached the Top 10 because he’s needed as a teenybopper draw for the coast-to-coast summer tour. The vote tallies remain a mystery to viewers (there were 30 million votes last week, but who received what?), so conspiracy theories blossom freely.
Whatever the reason, it’s worth remembering Sanjaya is just a boy, not a human punch line. When he auditioned, his voice seemed rather sweet and promising, sort of like Stevie Wonder lite. Once he made it to the Top 24, he tended to stand there and sound listless.
As bad reviews from the judges piled up, so did Sanjaya’s various hairstyles, which only added fuel to the humiliation fire. Then, last Tuesday, perhaps in response to criticism, he took a gamble by tackling a Kinks classic and trying to work the crowd like a Vegas star. The blowback was immediate and painful. Water-cooler tirades about his horridness were louder than any words spoken on behalf of LaKisha Jones, Melinda Doolittle, Jordin Sparks or other contestants considered to belong in the finals.
Dare I say it? Sanjaya wasn’t that bad. His voice is thin, but his tone and pitch are OK. As a reader e-mailed recently, he can carry a tune; he just can’t carry a performance.
The anti-Sanjaya bandwagon reminds me of the Howard Dean scream frenzy, when the sheer pleasure of replaying the clip of him acting like a crazy man overtook the fact that the guy was trying to whip up enthusiasm in a noisy room.
Perception becomes reality. Sanjaya might be out of his depth, but it’s more fun to label him the worst singer in the world. I just wish he weren’t 17. That’s too young to be a national joke or a nationally spotlighted anything.
Stephanie speaks out
Stephanie Edwards is still smiling — even after she was unceremoniously dumped by “American Idol” viewers last week.
“I’m OK,” she tells Entertainment Weekly. “I’m good, actually. I don’t know why. I just have a very positive attitude.”
Stephanie reveals in the interview that she palled around with Sanjaya Malakar when the cameras weren’t rolling, but we’ll try not to hold that against her. Jordin Sparks was also part of their under-21 clique. The older contestants, meanwhile, apparently like to booze it up. Often.
“I was bored most of the time because I’m too old to have a parent but too young to do things all the adults were out doing,” she told the magazine.
So what’s next? She’s not sure, but Stephanie would love to perform on the BET Awards. And, considering how talented she is, the producers would be foolish not to extend an invite.
Idol chatter …
- Good luck avoiding “Idol” super fan Ashley Ferl. She’s everywhere.
Ferl, the 13-year-old who swooned — and sobbed — during Sanjaya’s performance last week, is busy making the rounds on the talk show circuit. She’s been on “Today” and “Access Hollywood,” for starters.
Why, oh why, does she love Sanjaya? Let us count the ways.
“His voice and his hair and his personality, just everything,” she told “Today” host Meredith Vieira. “He’s just like — phenomenal.”
Excuse us while we retch.
- The much-hyped “Idol” songwriting contest is apparently on hold.
Figures.
TV Week reports showrunners are having trouble figuring out the logistics.
- DVR alert: Tuesday night’s show runs long. Seven minutes long to be exact.
So, to make sure you don’t miss any of the action, make sure you’re set to record until 8:07 p.m.
You can thank us later.
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Sanjaya survives yet again
So long, Stephanie Edwards.
We really, really hate to see you go — especially when we all know Sanjaya Malakar should have been the one booted tonight.
Sanjaya can no doubt thank the jerks over at VoteForTheWorst.com for helping him survive yet another week. Voters in Hawaii and on the East Coast are also to blame, according to Yahoo.
Sweet, sweet Stephanie didn’t even get a chance to say goodbye. The show ran long, forcing producers to cut short the final segment. All we saw at home was a quick shot of her wiping away tears, then the credits, then Brad Garrett’s horrid new sitcom. We understandably fled at that point.
This week’s other cellar-dweller? That’d be Chris Richardson.
As for Sanjaya, we can only hope his time’s almost up. Our poor ears can only take so much.
Who’s crying now?
As expected, the second week of the top 12 is far better than the first. Thenerves were shaken off and the contestants seemed more composed, more comfortable on the big stage. Overall, the contestants did a far better job on song choice, too. Even Sanjaya was possibly tolerable to some viewers out there - like that young girl in the audience.
I loved Jordin above all else. Ranks 2 to 7 are virtually indistinguishable to me. They were all excellent performances. Even the bottom three were passable though Sanjaya just had me (inadvertently) chuckling the whole time.
The bottom three? Gina Glocksen, Phil Stacey and Stephanie Edwards. Who’s going home? Stephanie, with vote splitting a greater issue and the fact she was on so early in the night, may be the next victim. I have Sanjaya ranked at the bottom but I bet he won’t even be in the bottom three!
1- Jordin Sparks (Shirley Bassey’s “I (Who Have Nothing)”) - She takes a dramatic song and imbues it with a maturity and emotion beyond her 17 years. As Justin Guarini said to me, she is the dark horse to win it all. Bravura! Randy: “That was a very tall order for you. Very controlled, great, great performance.” Paula: “A good singer is a good signer and you are also a wonderful performer.” Simon: “You sang it beautifully. But I feel like jumping off a bridge. It was so gloomy! I just want the sun to shine.” (Ryan notes: “I think Simon to get it, you have to experience love other than yourself.” Simon shockingly doesn’t respond.)
2- Blake Lewis (The Zombies “Time of the Season”) - He picked the perfect song to do a little beatboxing. He’s got Paula dancin’. He really doesn’t have the range or depth vocally of many of his rivals but he makes up for it in charisma, confidence and modernity, even a 40 year old song. Randy: “You put a cool vibey, edgy massive yo factor of a song. You made the song really current. Much props to you.” Paula: “This season is for Blake. You really raised the bar. I felt like I was at a concert. You could put that on your record.” Simon: “A million times better than last week. This week, you chose the right song and found a way without messing the melody to keep it contemporary.” Ryan tries to imitate Blake (dancing and singing) and we know quickly why he’s the host.
3- Chris Sligh (The Zombies’ “She’s Not There”) - Chris opts to go into the audience and he focuses on the camera. (Sign: “Bringing Chubby Back”) You even see Nigel Lythgoe dancing and clapping. With his glasses back, he sings with authority and sells the song. I’m not sure about that shirt but overall, a performance that will keep him around another week. Randy: “It’s like a concert in here dawg! it started off a little rough. You were ahead of the beat. You wound up good. It’s a good song for you.” Paula: “I think you’re dressing much nicer. I like the fact you’re working the audience… Your vocals were really good.” Simon: “I think you did your thing. I thought it was fun. It wasn’t the best vocal of the night but it was a good choice of song for you. You showed personality and did much better than last week.”
4- Haley Scarnato (The Exciters “Tell Him”) - Haley found a good song for her voice and her personality. I have never been a fan of hers, been predicting her departure since the first week of the top 24 and have been wrong four times now. I think this spirited, winning performance guaranteed her safety for another week. Randy: “It’s all about song choice. That is the perfect song for you. That was your best performance to date. That had the yo factor all over it.” Paula: “You had this girlish quality. The flirtation side of you was great.” Simon: “You naughty little thing. Different side of you. It was fun, young, a bit shrieky in the middle. I think people are going to be talking a lot more than your singing tonight. Just a hunch.” (I can’t believe I’m ranking her so high but this will likely be her pinnacle.)
5- Chris Richardson (Gerry & the Pacemakers’ “Don’t Let the Sun Get You Cryin’”) - Peter Noone said he hasn’t quite heard Chris’s voice. He clearly is not a big fan of the vibrato. If you like his breathy vibrato, he showcased it. It’s quite lovely and he caresses the camera, too. Randy: “I’m really excited about this show tonight. That was another great performance. It showed another side of you. When you don’t push it, it’s beautiful.” Paula: “You’re playing this game to win it. It was sexy and charming.” Simon: “I think that was your best performance ever. Control on the song was excellent. Most importantly, you didn’t make the song old fashioned. A little nasally but a very good performance.”
6- Melinda Doolittle (Oliver soundtrack’s “As Long As She Needs Me”) - Yawner of a song. And Melinda looks older with that haircut. She sings it well because she can sing anything well. She ends on a big note, too. But this wasn’t the best Melinda we’ve seen. It was, of course, good enough to get through. It helps that the producers gave her the final slot. Randy: “We could say tonight, we probably saved the best vocal for last. Another stunning performance. You have great relative pitch. You are a pro up there.” Paula: “You are in your own league, dear.” Simon: “I have to ask you a question. Are you really as nice as you seem? [I hope so, she says.]. It is a very boring song but you made the second part of the song absolutely sensational with an impeccable vocal.”
7- LaKisha Jones (Shirley Bassey’s “Diamonds Are Forever”) - Lulu tried to convince her to sing “You’re My World.” But she went for the bling bling, wearing $1 million worth of diamonds. She wears a green dress that shows off the pups and looks sexier than she has up to this point. And she tarts up the song, too, especially during the chorus. It’s a different side of LaKisha and she pulls it off. Randy: “It wasn’t my favorite performance. I didn’t feel enough LaKisha in it.” Paula: “I think you picked the right song.” Simon: “It’s evident you are a fantastic singer. However, this was LaKisha in 50 years time. I thought everything from the air, the dress, the mannerism, to your choice of song was like seeing you in 50 year’s time. It wasn’t my favorite performance.”
8- Stephanie Edwards (Dusty Springfield’s “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me”) - Stephanie chose a song that Nadia Turner killed two years ago. Nadia had an intensity, an edge. Stephanie is good but she’s missing the ferocity that would take this song beyond good. Randy: “For me, it was a little pitchy. I feel like it’s hard when people sing uptempo songs. You get to ballad, it’s harder.” Paula: “Great news first: I love what you’re wearing. I think you did pick the right song. Minus a few notes that fell off, you’re a great singer. The only thing I want you do is have that fun. It might be drifting a bit.” Simon: “I think you are losing your edge. I thought it was a bit nightclubby. I think you’re losing your soul. It was a very good cabaret performance. I miss that passion, that rawness.” (When did she ever have a rawness?) She’s in trouble.
9- Phil Stacey (The Nashville Teens’ “Tobacco Road”) - He tries to rock it up but with his bald head, it makes you think of Chris Daughtry. And he’s not as compelling as Chris. Vocally, it fits his voice. He feels a bit nightclubby, as Simon might say. Randy: “It was a pretty good performance. In the end, I always like your upper registers.” Paula: “It was a good choice of song. I do feel there were some parts that were pitchy. But I liked to hear the various ranges of your voice.” SImon: “I wasn’t crazy about it. It was kind of a third-division bar band performance. I don’t feel it’s believable. You need grit in your voice.” I agree with Simon 100%.
10- Gina Glocksen (The Rolling Stones’ “Paint it Black”) - This is another solid song choice for a gal trying to be “the rocker.” She’s dressed the part. Sadly, no matter what she does, I liked at least a couple of this past season’s “Rock Star: Supernova” ladies over Gina. Vocally, it was OK but ultimately I just don’t like her much. Something’s missing and I can’t finger it. Randy: “You’re the resident rocker. I don’t know if it was my favorite vocal. It was a little pitchy in spots.” Paula: “It was miles better than last week. Second of all, this is what you have fun doing.” Simon: “There were moments of complete torture in that vocal. It was just not very good. That for me was style over content.”
11- Sanjaya Malakar (The Kinks’ “You Really Got Me”) - “He doesn’t have a lot of experience to sell you what he’s got,” Noone said. Although he looks more like a Herman’s Hermit, Noone said he should try the Kinks. Uh oh. Who is that girl on a crying jag? Is she in pain like the rest of us? With Sanjaya, he can’t sell a song. It’s just a big goof with him. I can’t take anything he does seriously. Oh, there’s that crying girl again! What’s up with that? She’s there a third time. What are the producers doing? Trying to distract us from Sanjaya. A fourth time! I just saw his sister in the audience (and her pups!). Cool! Randy: “You shocked me tonight. Usually, you’re reserved, mildly mid cool. Dude you came out of your shell tonight. Your best performance to date.” Paula: “I hope you had fun up there! Good for you!” Simon: “I think the little girl’s face says it all.” (I’m not sure if he meant that in a good way or bad way. I suspect a bad way.) Her name is Ashley. And she has braces! Awww…
Looking for more “Idol” chatter? Check out Diane Holloway’s TV blog.
Idols and their hair
Enough about talent, let’s talk “Idol” hair, with the help of this story from the Detroit Free Press:
If you haven’t memorized the names of all the “American Idol” singers yet, you surely know them by their hair choices.
The girl with the punk streaks is Gina Glocksen. The guy with the shaved head is Phil Stacey. The Pillsbury ’fro-boy — nickname courtesy of Jimmy Kimmel — is Chris Sligh.
And, of course, the dude who’s worn it wavy, curly, straight and ponytail-plus-hat is Mr. Hair Excitement himself, Sanjaya Malakar.
It’s been a notable season for hairstyles on “Idol,” a show that’s always tweaking the physical image of its contestants as it nudges them toward pop-star perfection.
Just last week, judge Randy Jackson softened his slamming of Sanjaya’s version of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by praising his lovely locks.
“You know what I look forward to, man, every week?” Jackson declared. “Dude, you’re throwing down some different ’dos with the hair, man … Dude, ‘Hair Idol,’ you’ve got it jumping off.”
Come to think of it, a follicle smackdown wouldn’t be a bad idea for a bunch of aspiring music superstars. Attention-grabbing hairdos have long been an ingredient of the Top-40 success formula, from the fashion-revolution moptops of the Beatles in the 1960s to the buzz-cut sexybackness of Justin Timberlake today.
Sometimes hair creates instant branding. Before they were squashed by a lip-syncing scandal, Milli Vanilli used their long braids as part of their marketing strategy. Crazy swoops of ’80s hair helped define artists like Boy George and A Flock of Seagulls.
Big names, too, know the power of the comb and brush. Prince. Mick Jagger. Beyoncé. John Mayer. There’s not a split end nor bad perm among them.
Each season, the “Idol” hopefuls arrive young, unpolished and ready to be groomed by the show’s stylists.
Some contestants have hair that’s already memorable. Season 1’s Justin Guarini boasted those sun-kissed curls. Jasmine Trias tucked a flower into her hair as her trademark on the third season. Last year’s winner, Taylor Hicks, made premature grayness hip for a while.
Other contenders require more help from products and flat irons. During Season 2, Clay Aiken’s hair was transformed from messy-geeky to artfully tufted. Nowadays, he’s evolved post-post-show into a much lengthier, lankier ’do.
So far this season, the 11 remaining finalists are experiencing some hair-raising changes.
When LaKisha Jones initially auditioned, her hair had a “really rigid, corporate look” that was stiff around her face, says Indigo Zuri, owner of P2 Styles, an image consulting firm in Ferndale, Mich. The style was more suited to the bank teller she was at the time than the star she’s working to become.
Recently, LaKisha’s tresses have gotten much softer and sexier. “She’s divalike, she’s glamorous. Her hair is now all about glamour. It flows, it’s freer,” says Zuri, who’d like to see her try a lighter shade.
Jordin Sparks has favored a youthful tumble of curls, but on last week’s results show, she tried out a sleek mane of straight hair. She’s still in the process of defining her “Idol” style, musically and visually.
And on Monday, celebrity news site TMZ.com ran an item saying it seems as if Haley Scarnato is sporting the same hair extensions Katharine McPhee used last year. “Unbeweavable!” the site joked.
As for the guys, their vocals aren’t standing up to those of the girls, but their hair is more distinctive.
Blake Lewis is opting for messy-but-controlled spikes in his quest to be fashion-forward. “He has his own flavor going,” says Zuri. “It looks almost like a rooster in the front.”
Phil Stacey is sticking to a shaved head, to mixed reviews. “I don’t like the bald look on him. He’s definitely no Chris Daughtry,” says Zuri, who thinks it puts too much focus on his ears and not enough on his eyes.
But Zuri does approve of Chris Sligh’s mass of curls. “If he were to relax those curls, he’d lose his whole vibe,” she warns.
Last but not least, there’s Sanjaya, whose changing styles have stirred the most hair-related discussions since Britney Spears went ballistic with a shaver.
Zuri wonders if Sanjaya, a 17-year-old in the national spotlight, is using his hair as a security blanket.
“I think he hides behind his hair. He needs to show his face. He has a beautiful, beautiful face. Even though he can’t sing, he’s an American idol. The young girls are going crazy over him.”
The gospel according to ‘Idol’
It’s easy to hear the influence of gospel music in the voices of many current and former ‘“Idol” contestants. The Sacramento Bee takes a look at how they balance the sacred and the secular:
Now they sing in front of millions on “American Idol,” but until recently many of this year’s contestants could be found performing in church.
Chris Sligh is the worship leader at Seacoast Church in Greenville, S.C., where he and his wife, Sarah, are active in the congregation. Sligh leads the music during services and fronts the church band. The son of missionaries, Sligh attended Bob Jones University in Greenville and regularly seeks out his pastor for musical advice.
But don’t expect him to perform praise music on the hit Fox TV show.
“Chris doesn’t want to be the Christian singer; that’s not how he sees himself,” says Seacoast pastor Chris Surratt, who flew to Los Angeles last week to see Sligh perform. “He’s a musician who’s a Christian. He doesn’t want a label.”
How do you mix the sacred and the secular? Very carefully, especially if you’re vying for the top spot on the most popular TV show in the country.
Many of this year’s contestants honed their skills in church. Now they find themselves in the middle of “Idol” worship.
But those who know them say they can handle it.
“Chris has got his head on straight,” says Surratt.
Churches have long influenced pop music — from who sings it to how it is performed. Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles are just a few who got their singing chops with church hymnals.
This year, several “Idol” contenders follow this tradition. For example, Melinda Doolittle performs regularly for her congregation in Nashville, Tenn. Phil Stacey, a pastor’s son, grew up singing in church. Jordin Sparks was the 2004 “spotlight” winner for the Gospel Music Association. Lakisha Jones still sings in the choir at Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Flint, Mich. She began singing at the church when she was 5. “She came up singing,” says Herbert Dixson, senior pastor of Mount Zion.
He says Jones returns to the church every week.
“She was here last Sunday, sitting in the front row like she always does,” says Dixson. Jones’ 4-year-old daughter now sings in the children’s choir.
Churches are good training grounds because budding singers can learn how to read music, how to sing harmony and how to perform in front of an audience. And if the singer makes a mistake, well, the audience is usually pretty forgiving.
The style of singing in churches, especially African American churches, has changed pop music.
“It’s a style that has been copied so much that it is now a cliche on these type of shows,” says Paul Harvey, a professor of American religious history at the University of Colorado and the author of “Black Spirituals: From Folk Songs to Concert Hall.”
Harvey describes the style. “It’s when all the notes are elongated and they go up and down the scale and go for the big note,” Harvey says. “It’s a historically black gospel sound that’s now expected in pop music.”
Churches were often the only avenue available to African American singers, according to Harvey. He says there are more opportunities now.
“But a lot of people know the churches are still good training grounds.”
Many previous “Idol” contestants have spoken about their church backgrounds, expressing gratitude for the opportunity. Churches have held “Idol” viewing parties for these hometown favorites.
One contestant, Sabrina Sloan, received an endorsement from Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church in Orange County, Calif., one of the largest churches in the country and the author of the best-selling “The Purpose Driven Life.” Warren jokingly reminded his congregation to vote for Sloane, who grew up singing at the church.
The pastor’s support wasn’t enough — Sloan was voted off.
Viewers may feel comfortable with contestants talking about their faith — to a point.
Last year, Mandisa Hundley spoke openly about her Christian beliefs on the show. Although one of the stronger singers in the competition, she was booted off earlier than expected. Afterward, Christian bloggers wondered if her outspoken religious views played a role. (Mandisa is releasing a gospel album in May.)
This year, some of the contestants’ bios on the show’s Web site refer to their beliefs
Jones’ pastor doesn’t expect her to discuss her religious beliefs on the show. After all, he said, it is a singing contest.
“I just expect her to act like the humble young lady that she is and be a good witness for her faith,” says Dixson, who says he has known Jones almost all her life. “We’re all immensely proud of her.”
What if she sang lyrics that he considered inappropriate? The pastor laughs. “She knows better.” Dixson adds, however, that he agreed with a criticism made by judge Simon Cowell a few weeks ago.
“That skirt was too short.”
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Taylor does Texas
The Soul Patrol blew through the Lone Star State over the weekend.
Not that you care, apparently.
Shows in San Antonio and Dallas were sparsely attended, according to newspaper reports, but critics gave the “least successful ‘Idol’ ” high marks.
From a review in the San Antonio Express-News: “Even curmudgeonly ‘American Idol’ judge Simon Cowell would have been tapping his foot Saturday night at the Majestic Theatre when Taylor Hicks took the stage, charming the audience with a voice as smoky as his hair and an obvious passion for blue-eyed soul.”
And from the Dallas Morning News: “Starting off with ‘Gonna Move,’ from his debut album, he displayed that strong, clear voice that any ‘Idol’ fan would recognize but tapered down his herky-jerky dance moves for something, well, cooler. It could be that he possesses far more rhythm than we ever saw on the show.”
Taylor also made a stop in Austin Thursday, performing at the Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo. If you were there, we’d love to hear what you thought.
Idol chatter …
- Speaking of Taylor: He’s apparently dropped quite a bit of weight.
People reports he’s shed 22 pounds in recent months, going from 215 to 193. How’d he do it? By cutting back on fried chicken and other greasy foods. In their place, he’s downing fish, salads and soups.
“It’s good for your throat,” he told the magazine. “It’s also comforting, but it’s light.”
Exercise also played a key role. Taylor claims to run 45 minutes every other day.
- Sanjaya Malakar isn’t one of the top singers on “American Idol” this season.
Not even close, in fact.
Yet, somehow, he manages to score enough votes to return week after week. Why? Maybe, just maybe, it’s the hair.
Check out his MySpace page to see the many, many styles Sanjaya’s sported over the years.
We guarantee you’ll have a good laugh. Or two.
- An alert reader points out that the SimonCowellSucks.com domain name is up for auction over at eBay.
Minimum bid is $1. No takers just yet.
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Brandon goes bye-bye
A nice smile can only get you so far.
Just ask Brandon Rogers, the latest “American Idol” castoff.
Brandon got the boot after forgetting the words to “You Can’t Hurry Love” on Tuesday night. (Two others — Stephanie Edwards and San Antonio’s Haley Scarnato — also blanked out on stage.)
“I have no hard feelings,” he told host Ryan Seacrest. “I kind of expected it.”
When the votes — all 28 million of them — were tallied, other bottom-dwellers were Phil Stacey and Sanjaya Malakar. How Sanjaya, who has yet to wow us — or the judges, continues to advance remains a mystery.
Next week’s show should be interesting. Look for a British invasion theme with Peter Noone and Lulu. What? No one better was available?
Idol chatter …
- On TV, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell don’t seem to get along very well.
But, in real life, it’s a different story. At least according to an interview set to run in TV Guide next week.
“Simon and I actually get along great,” she told the magazine. “We have cultivated a fun relationship… . He’s actually become a really good friend.”
And all that odd behavior on the show? Abdul says Cowell is to blame.
“He’s caused me a lot of problems… . In the middle of me trying to figure out how I’m going to say something that gives someone dignity walking off that stage, I’ve got the antagonistic brother goofing on me, trying to throw me off,” she said.
Right. We’re so buying that.
Another ‘Idol’ sex scandal
Antonella Barba must be so thankful right now.
Another “American Idol” sex scandal has surfaced, taking the oh-so-bright spotlight off her, at least for a few brief moments.
Several sites are reporting that Mario Vazquez, who mysteriously walked away from the Season 4 finals, is being sued for sexual harassment. American Idol Productions, Fox and Freemantle Media are also named as defendants.
The accusations come from a former “Idol” staffer who claims he was fired shortly after reporting a bizarre incident that allegedly happened in a bathroom at the studio where the show is filmed. We’ve chosen to link to a fairly tame account of what reportedly happened. Savvy searchers should have no trouble finding the more lurid stuff.
True? That’s for the courts to decide. But it certainly would explain the sudden departure of Vazquez for “personal” reasons two years ago.
Idol chatter …
- Simon Cowell’s lending his support to a new People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals campaign.
Look for the “Idol” judge to appear on TV soon urging folks not to leave their dogs in hot cars.
“Far be it from me to be critical, but I find it really appalling that this year, thousands of dogs will die of heatstroke inside parked cars,” Cowell says in the public service announcement, which is set to air all summer.
Simon? Nice? Stranger things have happened …
First-night jitters
Guest blogger Rodney Ho from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution fills us in on Tuesday night’s show:
Nerves definitely were playing into the generally disappointing performances tonight. The bigger stage, the new lights, the pressure, et al. didn’t help. In the past, the first night has tended to be a letdown so people shouldn’t be surprised. (Click here to view Fox’s video recap.)
And as usual, Melinda and LaKisha are the dominant forces to be reckoned with.
Who should be out? Well, Sanjaya Malakar of course! Who will be out? I am still opting for Haley Scarnato. I almost think Simon said nice things about her to get her fans complacent. Brandon Rogers, who botched the lyrics and opened the show (a disadvantage), will be in the bottom three along with the other two.
But hey, let’s torture Sanjaya another week! The poor kid is going to need some serious counseling after this! He seems so fragile.
The Simon-Ryan taunting continued, with Simon not being, um, very subtle about Ryan’s lifestyle choices.
After Melinda Doolittle said she hates high heels, Ryan asks Simon, “Any advice on the high heels?
“You should know Ryan,” Simon said. Yup, Ryan walked right into that one!
“Stay out of my closet!” Ryan said. Another softball!
“Come on out!” Simon said.
“This is about the top 12, not your wishes,” Ryan said. Melinda places her hands on her head, wishing she wasn’t there.
Diana Ross looks good, even though her hair puts Chris Sligh’s to shame. (“I can’t get mine to go out like that,” he noted.)
LaKisha Jones (“God Bless the Child”) - She should have no problem singing a Diana Ross song. She seems to have a little bit of Diana in her. This is actually a BIllie Holiday song Diana sang. She really knows how to parse a song and wring out its emotion. Another commanding performance. Randy: “Perfect song choice for you. I love the outfit. Check it out. Unbelievable vocal. You didn’t overdo it. That was sensational.” Paula: “Your heart comes through when you sing.” Simon: “You’ve either got it or you haven’t got it. You’ve got it. The quality difference between you and Melinda and the other singers so far. You two are in a different league. It was a very very controlled performance. You were in control. Outstanding. Melinda Doolittle (“Home” from the Wiz) - She looks great. I’m not familiar with this song. It’s a vocal showcase song, though it’s probably not the most melodic song I’ve ever heard. She has such warmth in her voice, makes up for the shapelessness of the tune itself. Randy: “It was still really really strong. I give that the girls one, boys zero. That was hot baby.” (She’s practically crying.) Paula: “You’re feeling so much joy.” (Now Paula’s crying! Yeesh!) Simon: “You made a very boring song fantastic. You remind me of a young Gladys Knight.”
Phil Stacey (“I’m Gonna Make You Love Me”) - He finally starts out of the gate at a decent speed. Overall, his vocals are the best I’ve heard in awhile from him. He even hits the final note. Good job! Randy: “The performance was a little boring but the vocals were hot.” Paula: “Your vocals sound really good. That song. It needs to be a little more uptempo.” Simon: “You were wrong. That shouldn’t be an uptempo song. That was the right tempo. It was okay. It was a good choice of song. You have a tendency when you hit the big notes, you shout. You have to control that. It wasn’t outstanding. It wasn’t awful. It was better than last week.”
Blake Lewis (“Keep Me Hangin’ On”) - He noted that this song has been covered so he hopes to put his own spin on it. Again, his vocals aren’t the best but he possesses a fresh, modern persona. He’s just fun to watch. Was it his best? No. But it’s good enough for now. Randy: “There were some good things about it. You don’t have to Blake-ize every song. You actually sing better than that. Sometimes, let the classics be the classics.” Paula: “What you did was different than Chris. I think you can have a hit in that.” Simon: “I didn’t get that. I understand why you wanted to put your own take on it which is fair enough. If you had heard that in isolation on the radio, you woudln’t like it. It didn’t work changing the melody.”
Chris Sligh (“Endless Love”) - Where are the glasses? Chris changed the song around in terms of chords and timing. Diana Ross didn’t like it. Will America? I respect the fact he wanted to modernize the song. But it’s more interesting than good. A for effort, C in execution. Randy: “The bad part of that for me, it sounded like Coldplay’s ‘Speed of Sound.’ It was a weird thing to do to that song. The melody changed everywhere. You have to sing your heart out. That was a mess for me.” Paula: “That song is so recognizable. Sometimes I wonder if you are trying ultrahard to be ultrahip and cool. Sometimes let the melody play, listen to the lyrics sing the song.” Simon: “I think you murdered the arrangement. You turned a beautiful song into a complete utter drone. It was unemotional, uninspiring and I’d keep your glasses on. It’s you.” “I went with my gut and you know, I felt like it was a good arrangement… It had more to do with the arrangement than the vocal. But that’s part of the whole thing.”
Gina Glocksen (“Love Child”) - Diana wanted her to enunciate better. Gina looks good, best I’ve seen her so far. She even has a tongue piercing. She starts strong but my mind started wandering partway through the song. It’s just good, not great. Randy: “It wasn’t my favorite performance. I’m a Gina fan. It was pitchy in spots. I didn’t feel any excitement.” Paula: “It’s such an exciting song. You’re better than how you did tonight. There were times you were shouting. Enunciation and ptich were off.” Simon: “You can’t say much about it. It wasn’t terrible. It wasn’t fantastic. You chose the right song for you. It’s good you stayed in this image. It’s a little bit forgettable. It’s a middle-of-the-pack performance.” Touche!
Brandon Rogers (“You Can’t Hurry Love”) - Song choice is crucial and he picked a perfectly amiable song and did a perfectly amiable job. Amiable isn’t good enough. And he forgot the lyrics during a portion of it and didn’t cover it up well at all. Not a great start for the evening. Randy: “You came out like you had reverted to being a background singer. It was boring, uninteresting. You forgot the words. The last two notes of the song you sounded like you wanted to be in front.” Paula: “We don’t need to tell you what you did wrong. (huh???) There are many things you do right.” Simon: “That was a complete letdown. It was a very predictable version. The dancing was terrible. You forgot the words. You came in as a background singer of a background singer. No star quality. Absolutely not good enough. Sorry.”
Sanjaya Malakar (“Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”) - Diana feels motherly toward Sanjaya but you could tell he struggled to get a feel for the song. He has frizzed his hair out like a messier version of Justin Guarini and did he steal that shirt from Bobby Brady? Ugh, his voice is so weak for this song. He’s being swallowed alive! The backup singers showed more energy vocally than he did. At least he mostly stays in tune but bleh! Randy: “I do not even know what to say. Dude, it wasn’t very good. Thank god for the backup singers. That song was almost unlistenable for me. It was really really weak. But the hair is rockin’. Hair Idol you’ve got it jumpin’ off.” Paula: “You’re pure love. You are the sweetest soul. You smile and it warms people’s hearts. You sang on pitch. I understand what Diana was saying. You have to grab the audience. When a song like that you have to let go. You have to explode with your vocals and jump out.” Simon: “When you hear a wail in Beverly Hills, that’s where Diana Ross is watching this show. She’s going to freak when she hears that. The only similarity is the hair style… I’ll be positive. You’re very brave. I’ll give you that.”
Haley Scarnato (“Missing You”) - This is Diana’s version, obviously, not that other “Missing You” by John Waite we heard Phil sing a couple weeks ago. Diana felt she wasn’t showing enough emotion. With Antonella, Haley gives us some pup action to distract us from the languid take on this rather sad song. She’s got her eyebrows scrunched like she’s trying to be “serious.” She then misses a lyric. (Second one tonight!). I didn’t feel it, dawg. Randy: “You gave it a valient effort. Forgetting the words and stuff. You sounded nervous and your pitch is usually better than that.” Paula: “You look lovely tonight. But Haley, that’s not what you want to hear. It’s the same thing with Brandon. It’s a brand new day up here. Forgetting the words is never a great thing to do. And your pitch, eh yah yah.” Simon: “I didn’t think it was that bad. You have real presence up there. You look like a star up there… very very impressed with your presence on stage.” (Huh? Did he just swap places with Paula???) Missing words, “I feel like a schmuck.”
Stephanie Edwards (“Love Hangover”) - Diana Ross wants her sexier. But she thinks Stephanie has star quality. In my opinion, Stephanie’s vocals are solid but the performance is not terribly memorable or interesting. Randy: He noted she forgot some words but I didn’t catch it. “It was a perfect song for you but I was waiting for the uptempo part.” Paula: “
Looking for more “Idol” chatter? Check out Diane Holloway’s TV blog.
Antonella, Sundance speak out
Trust no one.
Well, almost no one.
That’s Antonella Barba’s message to the world, just hours after she was voted off “American Idol.” And, after someone plastered revealing photos of her all over the Internet, can you really blame her for feeling that way?
“These were photos of my personal life that got exploited without my consent,” she told The Associated Press. “I’ve learned to be careful who you trust.”
Barba also told reporters that she’s in no rush to return home to New Jersey. Instead, she’ll stay in Los Angeles and see which opportunities come her way.
“I want to see what I can do with this for a career. I want to strike while the iron is hot.”
Sadly, we think the only offers she’ll get will be of the X-rated variety. And apparently we’re not alone.
Idol chatter …
- Antonella isn’t the only fallen “Idol” speaking out.
Texan Jason “Sundance” Head appeared on Ryan Seacrest’s Los Angeles-based radio show Friday morning, confessing that he was shocked by the final vote tallies.
“I had not prepared myself for that … I was a little angry … at this point I’m just bitter this morning.”
With Sanjaya Malakar still in the running, we can’t say we blame him.
No word on Sundance’s plans for the future, but his relatives back home in Porter, just north of Houston, seem convinced that big things are on the horizon.
“I’m just glad he got this shot,” aunt Aline Head told The (Conroe) Courier. “America knows who he is. He’ll get something out of this.”
And then there were 12 …
She’s gone. She’s GONE! SHE’S GONE!!!
We’re talking, of course, about Antonella Barba, who has finally been voted off “American Idol.” And not a moment too soon.
Sadly, Antonella’s departure was the only one that didn’t leave us scratching our heads Thursday night. Others to get the boot were Sabrina Sloan, Jared Cotter and Texan Sundance Head.
Haley Scarnato, also a Texan, managed to stick around another week, but few expect her to go the distance.
America has spoken and, truth be told, “Idol” is more of a popularity contest than a talent competition. Case in point: Sanjaya Malakar. There’s no way in the world he made it to the final 12 based on his singing skills. We’re guessing hordes of giggly pre-teen girls helped put him over the top.
The judges seemed especially shocked at the final tallies. Randy Jackson, in particular, was aghast after Sabrina was sent packing: “America got that one wrong, dog.”
What do you think of the final 12? Are you pleased? Displeased? We want to hear from you.
Idol chatter …
- Ryan Seacrest and Simon Cowell in Africa?
No, it’s not the plot of some cheesy Hollywood flick.
The two will journey to some of the world’s poorest locales in the coming weeks as part of the “Idol” Gives Back fundraising campaign announced Thursday night. The two-part event will air next month.
On April 24, the finalists will perform songs of “compassion and hope,” according to a Fox news release, and the show’s sponsors will make a donation for each vote cast. The next night, April 25, a number of performers — Gwen Stefani, Josh Groban, Pink, Michael Buble, Annie Lennox, Il Divo and Sacha Baron Cohen — will stop by and encourage viewers to make contributions via a toll-free number.
Funds raised will be split between the needy here in America and in Africa.
- Be sure to check out Diane Holloway’s TV blog for even more “Idol” chatter.
Girls are in it to win it
Guest blogger Rodney Ho from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution guides us through Wednesday night’s “American Idol,” ranking the female finalists from first to worst:
We got what we hoped: an entertaining evening!
The best? Melinda is by far the winner tonight. It’s a close call for second.
Who’s out? It should be Haley and Antonella. Who will it be? Haley is the easy one (though I said that the past two weeks, too) and poor Sabrina is the weakest of the big voices. Antonella will survive and there will be much kvetching but isn’t that what makes “Idol” great?
1- Melinda Doolittle (Peggy Lee’s “I’m a Woman”) She’s obsessive compulsive! That’s fun! And she’s delightful. She’s so likable and the song is a perfect capper for the evening. Randy: “The hottest one of the night, you deserve it. You are the consummate pro!” Paula: “You’re lovable. I can’t wait to see what rabbit you pull out of the hat.” Simon: “You little tiger! I thought we had a pussycat. It is very nice you are actually enjoying every second you’re having on this show.”
2-Stephanie Edwards (Mary J. Blige/Chaka Khan “Sweet Thing” ) The once shy singer shows off her confidence. I’m not that familiar with the song but I thought she sung it with grace and maturity. Randy: “I give you an A for a valiant effort. When you started, I’m thinking Chaka. It was just okay for me. Some pitchy problems.” Paula: “I thought you were darn near flawless. You have to watch slightly falling behind the music. But you have a beautiful voice and great showmanship.” Simon: “You are one of the best you got. You have a tendency to go a little bit copycat. We are trying to find your individuality. You have sung your way into the final 12.”
3-LaKisha Jones (Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing”) - LaKisha is terrified of animals. And I’m terrifyingly tired of this song, which several “Idol” divas have tackled already (memorably, it’s Vonzell Solomon’s favorite.). It’s like LaKisha is picking a way too obvious choice that she knows she can do in her sleep. Given the standards she has raised from week one, I have to say it was a nice job but not her best. Of course, her okay is better than six of the others. Randy: “Another great performance.” Paula: “You’re going to stay right here and work on being the next ‘Idol.’ ” Simon: “You brought passion, talent, believability and just picking up on what I mentioned last week about the outfit. Tonight, you look beautiful.”
4-Gina Glocksen (Evanescence’s “Call Me When You’re Sober” ) She’s back to the rocker thang, taking the judges’ suggestions from last week. It works better much better. I almost like her tonight, at least more than I ever have before. Her notes were all over the place but it worked for her. It might have saved her. Randy: “Finally, the real Gina comes out. There were some pitch problems but what I like about you, it’s you. Keep the edge alive. Keep the yo going.” Paula: “This is more or less who I imagined you to be.” Simon: “First time I’ve seen you look comfortable. This was the girl we wanted. I really really hope you make it through.”
5-Jordin Sparks (Pat Benatar’s “Heartbreaker”) The football fanatic takes a difficult Pat Benatar song, throws in enough attitude, misses a few notes but ultimately started the night with a touchdown. Randy: “It’s like a different show when the girls come in. That was hot. There was some pitchy spots but it’s still better than any of the boys.” Paula: “You are coming your own. You are going to be here for a long long time.” Simon: “I’m not quite as enthusiastic as these two. A bit manic, a bit shrieky. You’ve done well. You’re showing personality. You will 100% be here next week. It wasn’t your strongest performance.”
6-Sabrina Sloan (En Vogue’s “Don’t Let Go”) The former broadcaster wannabe is technically great and pretty to boot. But her personality is a wee bit ordinary despite a good performance. Melinda, LaKisha and Jordin are simply more interesting. Randy: “I’m not sure I love the song choice… I wish that song had more melody for me.” Paula: “You can sing, sing sing. Your voice just soars.” Simon: “You’re a great singer but i think I know where Randy is coming from. It lacks the emotion of your main competitors. It was a little bit robotic. It reminded me of a hotel resort performance.”
7-Antonella Barba (Corinne Bailey Rae’s “Put Your Record On”) The violinist finally picks a song that is within her abilities. She actually did okay, for once. Randy: “That’s a cool song. It was a nice ending but still a little pitchy in the middle. I think you are a better singer than you’ve shown” Paula: “It was the right song choice for you. Bottom notes you have to watch. When you hit the higher range, the magic was there.” Simon: “You’ve gone as far as you can go. The reality is you are surrounded by pretty amazing girl singers. Your voice isn’t going to get any better. You’ve taken a lot of stick in the media and held yourself well and nobody should be placed in that situation. But I won’t patronage you. It wasn’t your worst. I just wish you could sing better.” Antonella’s defense: “I know I’m surrounded by very talented people, but I wish nobody would compare me with anybody else.”
8-Haley Scarnato (Faith Hill’s “If My Heart Wings”) The former gymnast sings a rather poppy Faith Hill song and … zzzzzz. Oh, is she done? She’s truly a Six Flags level singer. Adequate vocals, zip personality. Randy: “An interesting song cohice at this point of the competition. Tha’ts kind of who you are. It’s okay. I wasn’t jumping up and down. It was pretty much in tune. It had no pizzazz or wow or yo!” Paula: “It’s the kind of artist you are. It’s the kind of song you sing well.” Simon: “I thought it was horrible, just horrible, like some ghastly high school performance. You haven’t left enough an impression on this competition.” zzzz…. When Haley said Simon didn’t like her, he said, “I like you. There are better people. I don’t think that performance did you any favors. Nothing personal.”
Boring boyzzzzzzzzzz
Do the “American Idol” guys realize just how bad they are?
Heck, even the always-sunny Paula Abdul was downright nasty at times Tuesday night. And rightfully so.
With each passing week, it becomes increasingly clear: A gal will win it all this season. Bank on it.
Without further ado, here’s our take on Tuesday’s lackluster performances:
Blake Lewis: “All Mixed Up,” 311. A perfectly good performance, but nothing special. In fact, the song itself was rather dull. Lots of movement — and, of course, a little beat boxing — spiced things up a smidge. Still, nothing to write home about. Randy: “That was hot, dude. I didn’t even recognize the song, but I loved it.” Our grade: B
Sanjaya Malakar: “Waiting For the World to Change,” John Mayer. We love this song. Seriously. But when Sanjaya’s singing it … not so much. A little too Disney. And what’s up with the constantly changing hairdo? Simon: “The good news is it wasn’t as ghastly as last week.” Our grade: D
Sundance Head: “Jeremy,” Pearl Jam. We’re pretty sure Sundance is having an identity crisis. Something new each week, or so it seems. And, most of the time, it’s not an improvement. Stick. With. What. You. Know. Simon: “I thought you lost your charm this week. I think you went from being very good last week to what I would call a very generic bar singer.” Our grade: C+
Chris Richardson: “Tonight I Wanna Cry,” Chris Richardson. A different sound from Chris … and it worked. We’re not huge country fans, but we still dug it. One nit: A little too slow for the “Idol” crowd. Randy: “This kid is in it to win it, Paula.” Our grade: B+
Jared Cotter: “If You Really Love Me,” Stevie Wonder. There’s something about him we really don’t like. Actually, some things. For starters: He tries way too hard. The weird facial expressions don’t help. Get past all that and his singing’s not all that bad. Not great, but not awful, either. Paula: “I think you need to work on coloring up the way you sing.” Our grade: C+
Brandon Rogers: “I Just Want to Celebrate,” Rare Earth. Nice. Loves the stage, and the stage loves him. We’ll admit it … there was some head-bobbing going on. Great energy. Paula: “I think you’re really, really getting in there and proving why you belong on that stage.” Our grade: B+
Phil Stacey: “I Need You,” LeeAnn Rimes. What the heck was that? All over the place. Sounded like he had a cold at first. Then hit a few really sweet notes. (See? We can be generous. Sometimes.) Not a fan of the hats. Randy: “I genuinely didn’t get that.” Our grade: D+
Chris Sligh: “Wanna Be Loved,” DC Talk. He’s definitely the guy to beat. (Of course, that’s not saying much.) Weird song choice, but he made it work. Still, not a slam dunk by any means. Paula: “It wasn’t my favorite performance. You’ve got to keep rising above and, for me, this was just middle of the road.” Our grade: A-
Our picks to get the boot are Sanjaya and Phil. Agree? Disagree? Let us know.
Protesters want Frenchie reinstated
Is “American Idol” racist?
That’s the claim being made at a protest today in Los Angeles.
At issue is the show’s treatment of two contestants in similar situations. Frenchie Davis, who is black, was booted back in 2003 after producers learned she’d posed for some racy pics. Four years later, nude photos of finalist Antonella Barba, who is white, have been plastered on a number of Web sites. Showrunners, however, don’t seem to care.
Double standard? It certainly appears that way.
Led by civil rights activist Najee Ali, the protesters hope “Idol” execs will give Frenchie a second chance. They’d like to see her added to the current crop of finalists, and they’ve even created an e-mail address where fans can write in to voice their support.
What do you think? Should Antonella be dismissed? Should Frenchie be reinstated? Let us know.
Idol chatter …
- Many have complained that the current crop of “Idol” finalists is too boring.
Host Ryan Seacrest doesn’t agree. They just need a little time to develop, he tells The Associated Press.
“We are SO early in the season and in the series, you also don’t want to be somebody (who) peaks too soon,” he said. “You want to make sure you’re good enough to stay in but you’re building with each week, so the audience gets behind you.”
Sure, Ryan. Anything to ensure you keep getting that fat paycheck.
Seacrest’s favorites this season? Melinda Doolittle and LaKisha Jones, just in case you were wondering. (And we know you were.)
4 more shown the door
She’s still there?!?
We’re beginning to think Antonella Barba is bulletproof.
Despite a nudie-pic scandal and two weeks of horrid, horrid performances, she’s survived yet another elimination round.
Another head-scratcher: Sanjaya Malakar is also staying put. One site suggests his new look might have played a role.
While Antonella and Sanjaya, by far the week’s worst singers, managed to buy some more time, four other “American Idol” hopefuls were shown the door Thursday night: Nick Pedro, A.J. Tabaldo, Alaina Alexander and Leslie Hunt. (For what it’s worth, we were right on two — A.J. and Alaina — of the four.)
Nick wasn’t half-bad. Not exactly a ringing endorsement, we know. His very vanilla personality likely did him in.
A.J. never impressed. Perhaps if he had spent a little more time honing his voice, and a little less time trying to perfect his “moves.”
Alaina is very, very talented. Any other season, she’d definitely have a shot at advancing, but this time around there are far too many talented women. Someone had to go and, unfortunately, it was her.
Perfectly sweet Leslie doomed herself by recycling a song so early in the competition. What was she thinking?
Both Texans — Haley Scarnato and Sundance Head — survived and will be back next week, when “Idol” slims down to an hour each night. Much, much more manageable. Bless you, Fox.
‘Idol’ ice cream
What’s the perfect dessert while you’re watching “American Idol”? Why, “Idol” ice cream, of course.
