Chris Sligh did his obligatory “voted-off interview” this morning and actually said “I never came into this wanting to win it.” Umm, hello – why waste everyone’s time then. Why do something half-assed? Why did he say this? “I come from an indie, alternative-rock kind of background. For me, I think winning American Idol would hurt what I was really going for” said Sligh. So what you’re saying is participating in the competition wouldn’t hurt your indie-rock style but winning it will? That just makes no sense. If the competition is good enough for you to participate in without hurting your reputation then it should be good enough for you to win it. Trust me – indie rockers across the United States have already discounted you for participating, it doesn’t matter whether you were the ultimate winner or not.
What this sounds like to me is a 10 year-old who isn’t picked for the little league team he wanted and says “Well I didn’t want it anyway.” I’d have loved to see Sligh’s facial expression while he gave the interview – was he pouting? At one point in his interview he says, in reference to his band Half-Past Forever, “I think a door should open up for us… that would be great.” That’s not a surprise; America knows why you did it especially given the success of Daughtry. I don’t see much in the way of record-sales coming from Sligh and his band; it will be interesting to look back in a year’s time to see how this has all panned out.
If you look back to the Birmingham, AL auditions you will remember a very funny standout in contestant Chris Sligh. He won America’s heart by poking fun at David Hasselhoff. Paula Abdul was quite entertained by Sligh’s performance of Seal’s “Kiss from a Rose” doing a little girly-dance in her seat and giving him a standing ovation. Something has changed about Sligh’s humor though; I find it to be a bit arrogant and cocky. There can sometimes be a fine line between confidence and cockiness and I think Sligh has crossed over to the latter.
On Tuesday night’s show he performed “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” and was warned by Gwen Stefani to pay attention to his tempo. Well he must have either forget it, wasn’t able to do it, or took the advice and filed it away for future use but one thing he didn’t do was pay attention to his tempo. The performance was a wreck. When he was questioned about it for a minute there I thought he was actually going to say it was fine but thankfully the smart Sligh came out and he agreed that his tempo was off and quickly making an excuse. At this stage in the game there are no excuses. Even aside from the tempo issues Simon Cowell felt that the performance was a train-wreck and I have to agree. If I had to guess it would be either Sligh of Phil Stacy who goes home tonight.
I must say that I was completely shocked to not only see that Stephanie Edwards received the lowest number of votes but Chris Richardson was right there next to her in the bottom two. Seriously, is America not watching the same show that I am? Granted Stephanie Edwards’ performance was a little lackluster but vocally she is definitely one of the strongest in this *singing* competition. Chris Richardson’s performance on Tuesday night was touted as his best yet and I have to agree. Yes the song was a little boring but again vocally it was a very strong performance. I think the tweens of America have united and ensured that the likes of Sanjaya Malakar (who I think is a nice kid) remain in this competition for the long haul.
When you think about it, this is really a bad season for American Idol. They have some of the best vocalists ever but the mockery that is public voting is really doing harm to American Idol. Heck there is even a person on a hunger strike until Sanjaya Malakar is voted out. J, a girl who could stand to lose a few pounds, has taken a vow to hunger strike until Malakar makes his exit. She even has a MySpace page up! This often-watched and often-ridiculed talent competition is going to have to do a lot of work to get past this season. It has been rifled with scandal and its only getting worse.
It’s that time again; American Idol night! I swear I’m like a junkie; the time between Thursday night’s result show to tonight’s performance has seemed to just drag on. I can’t wait to see the train wreck that is Sanjaya Malakar perform. Remember I like the guy and thought he did great in his initial audition and in what they showed from Hollywood but egad has he been a train wreck since. I really don’t know if he can be saved at this point even though he is adorable. It will be refreshing for him to come out and perform like he did in the auditions though, maybe being in the top twelve will be enough of a kick in the butt for him to get it in gear!
I’m also curious how the battle of the divas is going to go. Unlike Simon Cowell I don’t put Stephanie Edwards in the same category as Melinda Doolittle and Lakisha Jones. Out of the past three shows the score is Doolittle 2 and Jones 1. I am wondering if Jones recognizes that Doolittle took it above and beyond last week and plans on a big belter song for tonight. I certainly hope so!
It’s Tuesday and that means tonight the remaining eight males will perform hoping to continue on to the top twelve overall. So what can we expect from tonight? Let’s start with Sanjaya Malakar – he was instructed to do something more youthful and stop channeling his old soul. I predict that he will actually take the judges suggestion and act on them picking a song that is more youthful as well as one that suits his soft voice. Please Sanjaya, do me a favor, do a fantastic job tonight! I loved you in the audition and Hollywood rounds but quite frankly since them I’ve been embarrassed to admit I’m a fan. Prove me wrong tonight baby!
Next up – Sundance Head; Sundance needs to bring out a performance that is even better than his “Mustang Sally” rendition from last week. Like Simon said, Sundance can do better. It was good enough to keep him in but right now I’d guess that he’s on the bubble and really needs to pick the perfect song and give a perfect performance.
How about Brandon Rogers? I thought Brandon Rogers was in trouble last week but I was wrong. His voice is good but not as strong as I have heard in the past. He really needs a better song choice and needs to execute on that. I think that song choice is going to make or break him this week as he’s probably on the bubble as well.
Well there you have it, my not so professional opinion on what to expect tonight. Let’s see if I’m right or wrong, check back tonight after the show and I’ll have a follow-up written.
There is a lot of conversation going on about the success of Chris Daughtry versus the success of season five winner Taylor Hicks. Daughtry’s self-titled debut album has been a hit on Billboard’s Top 200 currently back up to number two from number nine last week. The album was number one at one point even. Hicks’, on the other hand, is nowhere in the top 100 (sorry but I’m not paying to see 101 to 200 to find out exactly where he is). Heck, even Katharine McPhee’s album is in the top 50 although it’s falling fast; down to 39 this week from 29 last week. So did America get it wrong and pick the wrong American Idol?
My answer is no. Not because I enjoyed Taylor from the first time that I saw him but the America that votes for the American Idol contestants and the America that ultimately goes out and buys the albums can be two completely different crowds. Daughtry’s album turned out to appeal to more of an audience than Hicks’ did so it sold more, it’s really that simple. Rock music is very popular these days and everyone knew that although Taylor Hicks’ has a great voice it would be hard to get him a mainstream hit.
The same goes for contestants this season. Sundance Head is going to appeal to a completely different crowd than Jordin Sparks. They both may go on to release albums but the sales will vary depending on the type of album they make and will not be a direct result of how they did on American Idol. American Idol is a launching point at this stage in the game, a great one at that.
According to Extra TV, Nigel Lythgoe is reporting that Antonella Barba will not be removed from the show and that her fate is in the voter’s hands. If this is, indeed, the case then I’m crying foul! Frenchie Davis was booted for topless photographs published on an adult website. Even if the alleged pictures of Antonella Barba engaged in a sex act turn out to not be her but a look-alike, there are still the photos of her prancing about in a very tight, very wet, very white t-shirt and thong in the fountains at the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.
This whole debacle could blow up in American Idol’s face if the site Vote for the Worst has any say in the matter; they are currently encouraging fans to vote for Barba as well as Sundance Head. Could you imagine if Little Ms. Show Off Your Tits actually won the entire competition with her half-assed voice? Wait; don’t imagine that, the thought could be rather frightening. Seriously though, how would they spin this if she did win over the likes of Lakisha Jones and Melinda Doolittle? “Well, it was America’s choice.” Yes it was, and they did this to make a mockery of American Idol.
Of course this could all be moot if she sucks ass again this week (likely) and actually gets booted like she should have last week. Fingers crossed the men of America that actually take the time to vote think with the head on their shoulders. *laughs*
After last night’s lackluster performance by the guys, the girls have really got to shine tonight. This is season six; I don’t recall a worse start to a season than the one from last night. I was so disappointed in Sundance Head and Sanjaya Malakar – two of my ultimate favorites from the audition rounds. I really hope they make it through this week; I’m guessing Sanjaya will because he’s endearing but not sure Sundance is going to get the votes needed. Part of why Sundance disappointed me so much is that the song he sang is one of my all-time favorites. No, I’m not that old, but that is my parent’s ‘song’ and I grew up listening to it. It brings back fond memories of mom and dad stopping what they were doing to dance with each other. Ahhh, true love.
Now on to tonight – I am confident that Lakisha Jones, Sabrina Sloan, and Jordin Sparks will be fantastic. They have to, or I’ll cry! Yes, that’s it, I’ll cry! Seriously though, those three gals are absolutely wonderful performers and have flawless voices. They all have experience on stage and in front of crowds so I don’t think the nerves will get to them. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that we have some amazing performances tonight – American Idol fans across the country deserve it!
Now that we have confirmation on the top 24, everyone wants to know who will make the top 12. Of course at this point it is anyone’s guess as the rounds go week-by-week and are in real-time. If I had to pick the top six females and top six males right now this is who I’d pick and why:
Top Six Males
1. Paul Kim – Kim is different, nothing the show has ever seen before. He has a wonderful voice and an equally wonderful personality.
2. Chris Sligh – I honestly think Chris Sligh is going to make the top three, overall. Not only can Sligh sing but he is funny as hell. What does funny have to do with singing? Well when America is voting, humor can really when them over.
3. Chris Richardson – His voice is nice but all the rabid teenage girls from across the United States will be spamming their phones voting for him. He has ‘the look’.
4. Sanjaya Malakar – Great voice, great smile and us older gals find him endearing, what we want in a son.
5. Jared “J.L.” Cotter – I’m borderline on Cotter, I think his confidence could borderline on cockiness and that will get in the way. If he can keep it in check he could go far.
6. Jason “Sundance” Head – He had a horrible Hollywood week but the judges still saw something in him. I loved his performance in Memphis and I hope he kills it every week from here on out.
Top Six Females
1. Lakisha Jones – The girl can sing what more can you ask for?
2. Jordin Sparks – As long as she doesn’t melt into the background like Lisa Tucker I think Sparks has the potential to go very far. She seems to be full of personality – as long as it doesn’t bubble over and start to annoy people she’ll do well.
3. Melinda Doolittle – Another great voice. She also has the experience on stage required to succeed; she came out of her shell in the first rounds in Hollywood which is exactly what was needed.
4. Sabrina Sloan – Great voice, good looks, nice smile. She seems very grounded which usually equates into fantastic performances.
5. Haley Scarnato – Similar to Sloan, nice voice and nice looks.
6. Alaina Alexander – We didn’t get to see much of her but what they showed of her singing in Hollywood was fantastic. She’s a cute girl and seems humble, great combination
Everyone is predicting their top 12 and some names like Chris Sligh and Lakisha Jones are common among everyone I’ve seen. Who do you think will make it to the top 12? Head on over to the Idolwire.com forums and let me know!
I was sitting in the doctor’s office today thumbing through an US Weekly magazine (1/8/07 issue) and noticed that they had an update of Idol contestants from season’s past. Not just the big names – you know Clarkson, Studdard, Underwood, etc but the ones you don’t hear about but want to. I thought it would be perfect to share some of these with you, the American Idol fans.
Season 1
Nikki McKibbin – After her plot to pull at the heartstrings of America by having her young child give her a flower while performing failed to get her the votes needed to become a finalist in season 1, McKibbin returned home to Texas to bartend. Yup, she’s back in the bar – I wonder if she’s still running her karaoke business? She is also working on a CD but hey, isn’t everyone?
Season 2
Corey Clark – He lives in Nashville and works construction. Evidently he has separated from his wife, I wonder if the rumors of a tryst with Paula Abdul had any bearing on the marriage.
Season 3
Matt Rogers – Rogers is one of the more successful Idol contestants that you don’t hear about daily. He is the host of Discovery Channel’s Really Big Things and is living in California with his wife and son, Brayden.
Season 4
Mikalah Gordon – Even though she wasn’t *The American Idol* Randy Jackson liked her enough to invite her to work with him on an undisclosed “girl group” project.
Season 5
Paris Bennett, Bucky Covington, Mandisa Hundley, Melissa McGhee, Elliott Yamin, and Ace Young are all working on albums expected to be released sometime this year. Let’s see how many of the six actually have a successful 2007 album release. Best of luck to all of you.
For more updates check out the full write-up at realitytvworld.com.