Idol Chatter 3-18-08: Who will make the coveted Top Ten?
Idol visits the Beatles catalog for a second week, making sure Sir Paul has plenty of money-ammo for his inevitable copyright battle with iTunes. Who will the Idol Experts pick to make it into the Top Ten (and therefore, your hometown concert venue)? READ ON!
ANOTHER Beatles Night? I'll gladly take it, whether it be, as Seacrest claimed, "by popular demand," or a scheduling error. Poor David "Archie" Archuleta...if he was nervous last week, he probably wet the bed from fear, hearing about the return engagement. Anyway, for the most part, it may seem like giving the Top 11 one more shot at the greatest collection of songs ever written would be a very good thing. As we've seen, though, it can easily backfire. Let's get to another evening out... with the Beatles! It's like a do-over, only without David Hernandez prancing around the stage. Shame, too. Scandals aside, he was actually talented.
I wonder if the contestants will pick bigger and harder songs tonight? Will somebody finally sing "Yesterday," after name-dropping a million times last week? David Archuleta better come back after missing the words last week, and Kristy Lee Cook is going to need to hit it out of the park if she expects to make the Top Ten.
So Beatles Week Two begins now! Let's get it on!
performed "Back in the USSR"
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| Funk: Same every week. I don't like her but I see her appeal for the Kentucky-fried chain smokers out there. She will stay because it was an OK performance that'll get those corncob votes. |
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| Heart: This was a good song choice for her to do her thing and rock out. Although I'm still not a fan. She's predictable and I can't imagine her making it through too many more cuts. |
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| Collins: Going first won't help her at all. I asked her to do "Oh, Darling" last week, and she ignored me. Bad call, biker-nurse. She's really not choosing songs that showcase her style... and the ones she IS picking don't really show any depth. This was, once again, the same-old. She was energetic, but it's just more shouting over guitars, melody be damned. |
performed "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away"
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| Funk: I thought that was pretty good, but not winning the week good. Much, much better than the last two weeks... very strong finish. And she still looks purty. Happy she laid off the country. The pre-song montage spoke volumes about her inevitable destiny. Kristy, you're the underdog because you're not always that good. |
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| Heart: Well, at least she knows her days are numbered. That was a lot better than last week, but not enough energy. I wouldn't be surprised if she's in the bottom three again. |
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| Collins: I'm happier with this song choice and the arrangement than I was with that jug-band garbage she got away with last week... but it was just okay, for me. Forgettable, though not horrible... she has yet to blow anyone out of his or her socks yet, vocally. I don't think purty is enough to save her again this week.
And why have these idiots never heard any Beatles songs? They're all JUST NOW discovering this stuff? Knowledge of Beatles music should be a pre-requisite to becoming a professional musician. Come on, kids! |
performed "The Long and Winding Road"
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| Heart: People can't help but love this kid. He didn't go crazy with the song, but it still sounded great - and he remembered all the words! Ya know he's gonna be Top Five, maybe Top Two even. He has the "It" factor. |
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| Funk: The "It" factor for what age group? Sure, this kid's got amazing tone and a cute personality - which makes America in general root for him - but the only people who are going to be interested in what this kid sings is... my mom. File him under Michael Bolton and Josh Groban. Very talented, but only Silver Foxes will flock to his concerts, granny-panties in hand. |
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| Collins: Perfect song choice, but what a GOON he is! Now that we're forced to hear him speak more, it's plain to see that he's a complete dweeb. Anyway, good song for him, and he's back to form, thanks to Sir Paul's classic. David NAILED it, even if it was a natural, easy choice for him. Upgrade, Archie! |
performed "A Day in the Life"
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| Collins: Okay, in reference to his intro video... his cover of "Bohemian Rhapsody," as I've said before, was the ONLY truly memorable moment he's delivered all season. That's terrible, considering everyone thinks of him as a real threat at winning the competition. He's going down. See, this was interesting on Difficulty Level, alone. But I'd imagine that any young people voting for him didn't like it at all. Old ladies? Sure. But it ended up just being a strange song choice from one of, maybe, THREE who actually know Beatles songs. He hit a bad note or two, and it was a tad boring. I think he screwed up the lyrics at the end, singing "having read the book" twice in a row.
I don't know... it was just odd. This song is so all over the place, I think that super-cramped arrangement simply swallowed him up. Shame he decided to dedicate it to a deceased friend, rather than thinking about something the audience might actually enjoy. |
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| Funk: Yeah, dawg, seems like the song took so much work to get chopped up, that it was almost unrecognizable. It was so stripped down that the whole feeling of the song was lost. That, plus he didn't knock any of those notes out of the park. Weak. |
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| Heart: It was all right, a little rough in the beginning. I didn't really like the arrangement, but I think he has enough of a history singing well that fans will keep him this week. |
performed "Here Comes the Sun"
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| Funk: Cheery, all right, but not her best. Underwhelming, but I'm still a fan. She'll be all right. She better be all right.
And her post-song interview was HILARIOUS! She was awesome, like she was on a conference call with a bunch of close friends. She will get votes just because she is humble and natural. |
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| Heart: Aww, Brooke she's so cute! Even in her awkwardness, she makes you smile. Not her best performance, but she'll be fine. |
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| Collins: A bit of a safe song, kind of dull... but, she'll benefit from the intro video reminding everyone about last week's stellar performance of "Let It Be." It was decent, and she'll be safe. Even if her odd dancing made me miss her playing piano or guitar. Should be a good test of her fanbase, really. I think she has enough of one, at this point, to weather a lackluster performance or two... as long as there are still weaker singers around her. And there are. |
performed "Daytripper"
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| Collins: In regards to his intro video, I disagree with his assertion that last week's "Eleanor Rigby" was his best moment. Maybe his favorite... but his best was still Lionel Richie's "Hello" a few weeks ago.
Well, it was an interesting song choice, to be sure. A solid performance that his fans will eat up. He clearly called up that mimbo Constantine and asked for tips on making out with the camera. And what was with that goofy Peter Frampton, talking guitar bit? EEEEW. Talk about pseudo-cool. I suppose he was fine, but I don't like him. Still. And I don't think I ever will. And he's smug and completely not funny. I can't even get into his personality. When he finally goes home, it'll feel really, really good to me. |
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| Heart: He makes you feel like you're watching a real concert and not just American Idol. Clyde, sorry, but Cook did it again! I really think the more you guys hate him the better he does. For the record, the voice box was cool. |
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| Funk: This guy is a bad impression of three different rockers: Scott Weiland (STP), Scott Stapp (Creed), and Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam). But guess what... he's not on enough drugs nor does he have the stage presence to be Scott Weiland. He's not sincere and intense enough to be Scott Stapp. And he's not awesome enough (nor does he have enough hair) to be Eddie Vedder... He's definitely got the rock FEEL down pat, and he knows what elements of a rock performance to put out there, but none of it feels genuine, or good. All that said, the ladies in the crowd love him, and I'm sure they'll vote with their nether-regions, much like both of the Kristy Lee Cook fans do.
And David Cook, I know Peter Frampton. And you, dawg, are NO Peter Frampton. It's been a good three decades since talking guitars were cool. David, get ready for your very own Geico commercial. |
performed "Blackbird"
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| Funk: Solid. I have to disagree with her statement that she hasn't done "that kind of soft, ballady-type song yet". Don't the hundred Celine Dion songs that she's already sang not count as "soft"? That aside, a good performance. She's still bound for Top Three, easily. |
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| Heart: I think it was interesting seeing something a little different from Carly. It wasn't my favorite from her, but I still liked it.
P.S. I really hope that 7 tattoo was more than just for American Idol. |
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| Collins: Tremendous song choice. Elegant and understated, instead of that over-the-top Celine thing she likes to do. She chose a song she could really show off with, and she did a fine job. That big finish alone is enough to keep her safe for at least 5 more weeks. I can't believe I actually LIKED her, this week! I think Simon was way off, which is rare. Quite good. |
performed "Michelle"
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| Funk: I thought it was pretty good. Again, not blowing me away. He continues to make the ladies swoon with his sweet and pure-sounding vocals and awkward personality. "Michelle" was a pretty good song choice for him, letting him play up the sensitive side we've come to expect from him. It did lack in excitement, though, which can be dangerously forgettable. I dig this cat, but I really don't think he's gonna win this season, and if he wants to stick around much longer, he's going to have to somehow kick it up a bit from here on in. |
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| Heart: He seems like such a goofy guy sometimes, but he has such honesty in his voice. He did OK, but this week has been a little weak tonight so far. |
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| Collins: A very plodding, Jason-style song choice, and he gave it a sweet, pleasant delivery. That much, we've come to expect. It was a bit of a departure, somehow, I thought. He seemed to actually be trying to flirt with the lady voters, for the first time...but it still came off as genuine. It was nice and serene, and should work for his fans, though I doubt it'll win a lot of new ones. And what did I saw last week about him needing his guitar?! Proof, fans. A good performance, but nothing that'll secure his spot in the season finale. I think I like that he's the Anti-David Cook. He's humble, genuine and subtle. Simple talent over forced attitude, long hair over thinning hair. He'll live to sing another week... LONG LIVE CASTRO!
ONLY THREE TO GO UPDATE: At this point, I'm thinking Michael Johns REALLY needs Syesha, Chikezie or Ramiele to blow it. He has yet to top "Rhapsody," which was a BILLION weeks ago, and tonight's arrangement was lame. People may rush to put Jason in the Bottom 3, but I think he's safe on charm and vibe, this week. |
performed "Yesterday"
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| Heart: Finally! Someone is singing Yesterday! She really sang this with some raw emotion and it was a high point in the night. She will NOT be in the Bottom Three after that performance! |
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| Funk: ...Yesterday, your hair looked better than it does today...
Julie, I gotta disagree, but let me talk directly to my girl Syesha on this one... Syesha, this could have been YOUR song... but you fell short, baby. Solid showing, but you fudged some of the notes and that kept it from being a ten. This was supposed to be your "Over the Rainbow" and it just wasn't. PS, "Fiance"?!?! Booooooooo! =^( |
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| Collins: I really wanted her to hit a grand slam, with this one. And you know what? She FAILED. It started off very weak, and...didn't get much better. She's terribly inconsistent. I wasn't feeling this slow, dreary arrangement at all. She did the OPPOSITE of last week... instead of being screwed by a complex song, she didn't do ENOUGH with a simple one. You need soul and emotion for a song like this, and I felt like she sacrificed those things to focus exclusively on tired vocal tricks. It was just okay, to be honest. The judges CLEARLY just want to keep her in the competition, because she didn't deserve the glowing praise they gave her. Better than last week, but still not great. Stock DOWN. |
performed "I've Just Seen a Face"
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| Funk: I must agree with Paula. I thought that was really cool, heartfelt at the start and then he busted out the harmonica (which may have been busted by itself), but then he pulled it back together with an upbeat take on the song. Which I dug.
He made honky-tonk Beatles work where Kristy Lee failed. |
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| Heart: Um, interesting? Wasn't really expecting that to suddenly turn country. It didn't suck but I don't know if it was really good. |
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| Collins: It was a hot take on a twangy, lesser-known song. I think he did it again! It was a bit safe, but a good, energetic performance. Exciting and varied, it was a real showcase for him. The actual song IS very Country-ish, and it seems the judges forgot that. Anyway, he did a lot with it. Chikezie's found his groove, and I think the song got a little goofy in the end because, I suspect, HE is a little goofy. He pulled it off, I think he's safe. Pick apart the arrangement all you want, but his vocal was strong. |
performed "I Should've Known Better"
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| Funk: Not the greatest thing I have ever heard, a little too mechanical and flat. Not flat tone-wise, but flat energy-wise. I keep waiting for her to blow me away and this didn't do it. Dawg. |
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| Heart: I'm so glad she did an upbeat song this week, maybe not the best song choice but I still liked it. It looked a little karaoke but at least she was having fun and showing off that big voice. |
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| Collins: Speeding it up after last week's Malubay Lullabye was a good call... but she's lucky she went last. Otherwise, it'd be absolutely forgettable. I'm not a fan of her hat... give that thing back to David Cook, Ramiele! It wasn't a HORRIBLE vocal, but it could've been better from a girl like her. Just decent-ish. I still think she's safe, honestly. But, we'll see. |
OVERALL STANDINGS - Bottom Three
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| Funk: In the doghouse this week are Michael Johns, Kristy Lee Cook and Ramiele Malubay. Respectively: bad song arrangement, bad history, boring performance.
I know we say this every week, but KLC needs to go. |
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| Heart: My bottom three are Chikezie, Kristy Lee Cook, and Jason Castro. Clyde, I know you don't think Jason belongs there, but when you look at the singing, he deserves it. Although I'd switch him for Amanda Overmyer just because I don't like her and I don't think fans like her (even though this week was better than most for her).
Kristy Lee, it's your time to go. Stop floating through on your looks. |
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| Collins: Michael Johns and Syesha Mercado both disappoint me too often. They're both SLIPPING.
But my bottom three are as follows: Amanda Overmyer was lousy, Kristy Lee Cook was uninspired and shaky, and Michael Johns' arrangement was a wreck. I know it's a gutsy move, putting him in the Bottom 3, but... I'm going there. I think Ramiele will be okay, for some reason. Just a hunch. Who's going home? Amanda Overmyer was the worst of the night. Should've listened to me and picked that other song. But my killer instinct says the low-vote-getter will be Kristy Lee Cook. Your time has finally come! I was right about David Hernandez last week, so... let's hope I'm 2 for 2! |
OVERALL STANDINGS - Top Three of the Week
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| Funk: And in the dawghouse this week (see what I did there?), my faves are Syesha, Carly and Chikezie... although Chikezie is nowhere near the level of Syesha and Carly. |
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| Heart: They really should have stuck to one Beatles night; two was too many. And almost everybody did better last week.
My Two Daves were great, but Syesha really stood out from the crowd. By far the best! She's been my top pick to win it all, but she was sliding further and further down over the past few weeks... I'm happy to see her come back strong! |
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| Collins: Archie is back after a lame performance last week! He and Carly topped them all, once again. |
***** DISCLAIMER *****
The opinions expressed by the three "FOX43 Idol Experts" do not necessarily reflect the opinions of FOX43, Tribune Broadcasting or FOX.
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Comments
david archuleta should be the next american idol
Posted by: sam | March 19, 2008 5:15 PM