Idol Chatter 5-8-08: Down to 3! Yikes!
Out of the 4 remaining singers, it was a 2-way fight to the death to see who gets to go home this week or next week!
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Out of the 4 remaining singers, it was a 2-way fight to the death to see who gets to go home this week or next week!
The 4 remaining contestants each had 2 choices out of a list of 500 legendary songs. Who stole the show and who flopped?
So the Idol’s continue tonight in their pursuit into new and popular music…oh wait, no they’re singing songs from the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame…so pretty much guaranteeing we still wont be hearing anything from the past decade…fun.
To be fair, almost no good music has happened in the past 10 years, Julie. So, no big loss. Still, this theme DID give them a chance to pick good music from a variety of genres and establish, once and for all, their identities. What did our Final 4 do with all that freedom? After last night, it's official: Rock & Roll is DEAD. Could these schmaltzy pukes have rocked LESS?! Anyway, this is usually the night where the judges make it blatantly obvious which singers they want to see in the finale.
Paula's Prepared Notes for the Week: "Great, Great, Great, I Hate You Jason Castro and I Want You to Die."
The Top 4 night is ALWAYS telling...after all, Seacrest invoked both Tamyra Gray and Chris Daughtry, last night. Big stuff, especially when, like me, you consider it a blatant effort to remind people to keep David Cook (and maybe Syesha) safe because the producers want him in the Final 2 (and Jason Castro out of the way).
Rock Night, huh? Let's rock this rockin' rocky place. Rockin'...rrrrock! Dogg.
Time to get serious. Take a ride with Clyde.
Now that Brooke White is gone...I'm no longer obligated to care about any of the remaining singers. I have no real, emotional attachment to any of them, and, thus, can be completely critical and objective. If I had to pick a favorite, I'd have to go with Jason...but, he's not going to win and I'd only be choosing him because: 1) Brooke is gone, B) Syesha doesn't have a prayer, and 3) I hate the Davids so much! Why be so negative all the time, though...right? Julie Heart tells me I look like I'm going to have a nervous breakdown or something, lately. So...it's time to detach myself from the process, like I should've been doing all along, and make the tough calls.
Continue reading "Idol Chatter 5-6-08: Who's Winning Season 7?" »
Ditch the thumb, just use the fingers - we're down to the Top 4!
Continuing our trend of ancient music performed by singers dared to sound modern, our brave Top 5 took on Neil Diamond (who is totally selling a new album - SHOCK)!
So this week’s mentor is Neil Diamond…I’m not a big fan of the guy, honestly before the show I couldn’t have named five of his songs, but it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.
With all due respect to Neil Diamond...it's time to stop with the ancient songs written by ancient musicians. Let's get CURRENT. Do you know why David Archuleta and David Cook are doing well? All of these contestants have been encouraged to sing in certain styles or genres, and the Davids' styles happen to be the ones ruining radio at the moment. They're not daring, they're not new...they're same-y, but sound current compared to the others because what they do naturally just happens to be in style. If the nation was still fascinated with Dave Matthews Band or we were in the 1970s/Lisa Loeb Week, Jason or Brooke might have a better chance. Syesha belongs on Broadway, or in musical movies. If she goes that route, she could end up very successful. The Battle of the Davids that's looming overhead isn't going to be good for the music industry. Jordin Sparks? Does the same thing you hear on the radio all the time. Forgettable, already passe, not good for music. We don't need another Daughtry or another Josh Groban. We need someone different to blow up the drek on the radio with something TRULY different. The way this season is going...it's not going to happen, and I think that's depressing. Anyway...let's go on and disagree about the performances!
I'm not a huge fan of "The Diamond", but having seen the obscure movie Saving Silverman one too many times has made some of Neil's songs endearing to me. So Clyde says the competition is fixed, but in the words of Wayne Lefessier, "Yeah, sure. But he's America's greatest songwriter. And he's our hero." So bring it on! Neil Diamond's library is CRAZY diverse, so let's see where these cats take his songwriting skills.
Continue reading "Idol Chatter 4-30-08: The Top 5 Cut Diamond" »
Join our Idol Experts for some funny and honest commentary that didn't make it to our written Idol Chatter column! In this episode:
-Carly went home
-Andrew Lloyd Webber ROCKS
-What saved Brooke?
-Battle of the Davids
And more!
We can count the number of finalists on one hand! Who left after Broadway Week?
Destined to be the least-downloaded week yet on iTunes, your Top 6 tackle Andrew Lloyd Webber!
With Kristy Lee finally gone, the real competition can begin. We’re down to six contestants and they had to prove they can be like Fantasia and Clay and do a little Broadway singing.
Clyde, here. I officially don't like American Idol anymore, this season. It's rigged, it's over, it's not going to end well for the future of humanity. That said, I was prepared to hate this night...and actually came out of it respecting Andrew Lloyd Webber. He was the best mentor, by far, offering honest and helpful criticism to all of the contestants. Good man. But, yeah...if you're trying to convince America that one of these kids is the NEXT POP MUSIC SENSATION...maybe move Broadway week back to the Top 10 theme, or something. We're too close to the end for themes that actively work against contestants sounding current and cool.
Yeah, dogg! Artie in the house! This is, actually, sadly, my week. I guess I like Broadway stuff...dated a lot of ladies who were musicians, so...you know, you pick up a few things, dogg. Let's get MUSICAL!
Continue reading "Idol Chatter 4-23-08: The Top 6 Go Broadway" »
The fans pick the song this season's American Idol winner will sing. Clyde tells you which ones aren't completely horrible.
By Clyde Collins
This is quite a difficult assignment, I must say...because these songs are, by and large, syrupy, gooey messes.
Let's start off by taking a look at how you'd go about voting, if you so choose. You'd start by going here. Better get on that fast, though...
A long-awaited exit leaves us with a Final 6, and our Idol Experts are all over the map.
Continue reading "Idol Chatter 4-17-08: Down to the Final 6..." »
The recording industry is, apparently, nothing new to a few of our Season 7 Idol finalists. Making an album? YAWN. That's ancient history.
Aside from Carly Hennessy-Smithson (we've all heard about the legendary bellyflop that was her attempt at Pop stardom), four other contestants have albums listed on Amazon.com. And, luckily, the majority of them allow you to listen to clips of the tracks!
The only one that doesn't have preview audio? Read on, and know that it'll cost you $75 if you want to own it and check it out for yourself.
Join our Idol Experts for some funny and honest commentary that didn't make it to our written Idol Chatter column! In this episode:
-David Cook v. Our Lady Peace
-Mariah...scary...
-Post-Johns Idol
-Too much religion?
And more!
Adding Mariah Carey to the Idol mix, means trouble for the ladies...
Well, the Top 7 tackled Mariah Carey songs...and that's a tall order for the girls! Going in, I had no idea how the guys were gonna' do this week.
I have to say, I was very unhappy about this night, going in. I'm not a big fan of Mariah Carey. In fact, I only actually enjoy ONE of her songs ("Hero"). The squealing thing she does is a complete turn-off, and I was hoping one or more of the contestants would change up her music to the point that I actually LIKED it. So, did anyone manage to win me over? Keep reading.
Yeah...I'm looking for these performances to go one of two ways. Either good...or completely in the toilet. Again, I'm not expecting to recognize any of these songs...so, that'll be fun for me!
A learning experience, as always, Artie. Why don't you start us off with your review of the first singer, Little Archie?
Continue reading "Idol Chatter 4-16-08: The Top 7 Go Glitter" »
The dearly-departed this week was no surprise to our Idol Experts! It was who else rounded out the Bottom 3 that surprised viewers...
Our very own Idol Expert Artie found something that he thought was more than coincidental, and he wanted to share. So take it away, Funkenstein...
Idol, Idol, on the wall...who's the most inspirational of all?
Well we are down to eight, and I feel bad but I think getting rid of Chikezie and Ramiele has gotten rid of some dead weight - so let’s see how they did without them...
Hello. My name is Clyde...and I'm very bitter and emotionally distraught after last night's performances. I don't know if I'll be able to make it through this column. Artie, Julie...if I fall over, leave me behind and go on without me. Save yourselves.
Inspirational songs, huh? Can't wait to see Kristy Lee Cook reboil "Amazing Grace" for the third time!
Continue reading "Idol Chatter 4-9-08: The Top 8 Get All Inspirational" »
Join our Idol Experts for some funny and honest commentary on the State of the Idol! In this pilot episode:
-Destroying Davids
-Touching Jason
-Who's in the Finale?
-Are the Judges Playing Favorites?
-Which Singers are TOO Popular?
-Julie Has No Catchphrase
And more! Give it a listen. See what it's actually like to be in a room with the three of us the day after American Idol!
Artie and I were watching a DVR playback of the Top 9 before Ramiele hit the bricks...and stumbled upon an interesting scene.
By Clyde Collins
Is there hidden meaning in DaVinci's The Last Supper? Aw, who knows? All that stuff with the novel and the movie and all the symbolism and secret societies...at the end of the day, it was probably all just well-crafted fiction that people embraced because it offered a tantilizingly different perspective on ancient, supposedly-sacred history.
Well, among the millions of American Idol faithful who watch each week, the show is sacred. The finalists and their fates are discussed with great fervor, and any new insight into how the show works or why thing happen is greeted with a healthy mix of fascination and skepticism.
Fear not, Chatterheads. This is Clyde. I don't steer you wrong. My words are prophetic and the theories I'm about to lay out for you are, besides being absolutely brilliant, quite likely to come about.
Read on, as I examine the American Idol Last Supper.
The dearly-departed this week was no surprise to our Idol Experts! It was who else rounded out the Bottom 3 that surprised viewers...
Continue reading "Idol Chatter 4-3-08: Down to the Top 8 After Dolly Week!" »
The Top 9 singers took on Country legend Dolly Parton...and we'll tell you who should go home!
Dear Idol...if you're going to try to play an April Fool's joke on us, put up a big, full-screen graphic. Don't have Seacrest talk onstage!
Cute little intro. Fooled absolutely no one, but still...if we MUST continue this strange April Fool's Day tradition every year, at least they tried to be clever. Let's talk about the singing, though. I thought they were moving AWAY from pushing guest musicians who've just released new albums? Oh, well. I was completely prepared to hate everything that happened, last night. Dolly Parton is NOT a personal favorite, and Country weeks are usually pretty lame. In general...I didn't end up hating it, so much as not really caring about any of the songs.
That April Fool's Day intro was L-A-M-E...and I was pretty sure, going in, that this was gonna' be another week where I didn't recognize any of the songs. I was worried for Ramiele and missing Chikezie before we EVEN SAW this episode. It's just unfortunate that he went home. But bring on the Dolly, Idol! Let's do this!
Let's just come out and say it: DAVID COOK IS DOING COVERS AND GETTING UNDUE CREDIT FOR BEING BRAVE AND COMPLETELY ORIGINAL!
By Clyde Collins
Unlike David Cook, I give plenty of credit to my sources.
I owe a great deal to Chris Harris of MTV.com, and his quality article, "American Idol" Dark Horse David Cook: Is It Fair For Him To Cover Other Covers?
YouTube yielded this lovely faux duet: David Cook & Chris Cornell. The two versions are pretty close...
I'm sorry, folks, but it's true. I know it won't matter to a bunch of you Cookites, but it bothers the $@#(*#$ out of me.
I've been saying from day one that there's something completely phony about this guy. He's just another Daughtry. And the SAME THING HAPPENED WITH DAUGHTRY! He had to come out the next night and make sure everyone knew he didn't come up with the arrangement of whatever song he'd oozed through the night before.
Think Cocky Cook will do the same?
It's true that Seacrest noted that it was Chris Cornell's version of "Billie Jean" before Cook sang...but I didn't hear it. The only reason I know it happened is because it was mentioned in Harris' article. It must've been quick or inaudible or something.
I wouldn't have minded it that much, had the judges not spent the next 5 minutes after his performance bowing to him and telling America he's the greatest innovator in music history. It's. Just. Not. True.
Maybe Randy misspoke when he called Cook "the most bold contestant we've ever had" that night? "The most BALD" would've been a far more accurate description. I think Phil Stacey had more hair.
And, for the record, I'm convinced that David Cook hasn't given in and shaved his head for one of TWO possible reasons: 1) He's in love with himself and can't bear to part with what remains of carefully-sculpted locks, or 2) Chris Daughtry beat him to being the Bald Rocker, too.
Anyway, this wasn't the only week he's pulled off the same stunt. Read on.
Continue reading "Idol Chatter 4-1-08: Is David Cook a Big, Fat Phony?" »
You've seen Julie's post, right? Read that first...
By Clyde Collins
Seems my esteemed colleague, Julie Heart, took it upon herself to post some celebrity look-alike matches for the top American Idol finalists. It was definitely entertaining, but I couldn't help but think there were a few matches the program overlooked.
I mean, just by looking at them, you can usually come up with a pretty good match or two...or five. Scroll down and see what your favorite Idol Expert came up with.
Let's have a little fun with our heroes, shall we?
Just thought a little Idol Internet fun was in order…
By Julie Heart
Hey guys, I was boppin’ around on the Internet and started thinking about this year's Idol crop of contestants and what it takes to be the next American Idol. I hate to say it, but it really has a lot to do with your looks. Don’t get me wrong singing makes a big difference, but there’s got to be a reason Kristy Lee Cook is still hangin’ around. Anywho, I decided to get a little creative (with the help of the myheritage.com website)and check out who the top twelve most resemble with it comes to the hollywood crowd.
So in no particular order here goes…
MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebrities
I was really surprised when Elisha came up for Amanda, personally I think Amanda looked like the female version of skunk boy Jason Yeager, but it's not like the website is perfect...Amanda was also matched with Beyonce Knowles and a young Leonardo Dicaprio if that's any indication of it's accuracy. I'm just glad the biker nurse is on her way with that wacked out hair-don't. Is it just me or is there always one rocker girl with weird colored hair each year...usually pink.
Continue reading "Idol Chatter: Who do you think the Idol Contestants look like?" »
Clyde's got total bragging rights with his predictions, this week. Who went home after Songs from the Year You Were Born Week?
Continue reading "Idol Chatter 3-27-08: Top 10...Down to 9!" »
The Top 10 singers stormed the stage to belt out songs that were released the year each finalist was born. Sure, this guaranteed a lot of 80s music...but it also guaranteed one song from 1947. Thanks, Michael Johns!
Okay, even I've had enough of these singers butchering Beatles music. This week's theme was a bit more abstract...but still led to several strange song choices. This may be the best crop of singers in a while, but it's quite possibly the worst song-selection season in years!
I thought there were some serious kick-butt performances last night! The battle only gets tougher for the contestants from this point, and they have to bring it to win that spot in the spotlight.
This night made me MAD up until the very end...and even liking what I liked made me mad. But, let's get to it, dogg! A lot of...interesting stuff went down this week.
Continue reading "Idol Chatter 3-26-08: Top 10 & Baby Pictures" »
Will this year's winner be the best singer? Maybe. But, in the end, it's pretty much up to the individual where they go from here.
By Clyde Collins
Every season, American Idol cruises along, singers dropping like flies, as we make the steady march toward the crowning of a new champion. I hesitate to say crowning of a new musical superstar, because...well, sometimes, this happens:
In a world without Idol, Snoop and Taylor Hicks may never have joined forces to redefine the term "Soul Patrol." I'll leave whether or not that's a good thing up to you.
But, I get to thinking, sometimes...what are the Forgotten Idols up to, these days?
Continue reading "Idol Chatter: Looking at Winners and Losers of the Past" »
The FOX43 Idol Experts scramble for cover as Idol-Bunny Kellie Pickler headlines a semi-surprising Bottom Three. Did your favorite survive America's thumbs-down?
Continue reading "Idol Chatter 3-18-08: Top Ten Revealed!" »
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!
Continue reading "Idol Chatter 3-18-08: Who will make the coveted Top Ten?" »
The FOX43 Idol Experts tell you Who's Who in the Bottom Three, in a very Whooey Results show. And who got the whoot ... I mean the boot!
We crank it up to Eleven (contestants) after this week's elimination. Let's see how the Chatterer's predictions held up, and what they have to say for themselves...
Continue reading "Idol Chatter 3-12-08: Results Show: Down to 11" »
This is an important week, because this the first time that the girls and boys have to directly compete against each other. Plus, we're inching ever closer to that magical Top Ten... which Idol fans know is the cut-off point for the popular summer Idol concert tour. If you make it to the Top Ten, you're at least going to see the country and sing for fans, rather than drifting back into obscurity alongside Colton Berry.
We were greeted by a brand new set...but did the Top 12 deliver anything fresh and different, this week?
Wow! They sure are really excited about that new set, weren't they?
It sure seemed like they were totally stretching to fill some time here, but what are you gonna do about that? Oh and by the way, welcome back, Julie! I know you didn't appreciate the David Cook comments from last week. Let's see if more than his forehead shines this week! On with the show...
Continue reading "Idol Chatter 3-12-08: Battle of the Sexes" »
Your friendly neighborhood Idol Expert, Artie Funk here with a bone to pick...
Is keeping the Official Idol website current TMTH for the people behind America's television juggernaut?
How did just two of our FOX43 Idol Experts do on their Week 3 predictions?
When Julie's away, the boys will play. Artie and Clyde were your designated Experts for this week's columns, and they definitely had fun with it!
But, the time has come to get serious.
Four singers went home, last night...and our boys have some explaining to do about their predictions!
4 contestants (Luke Menard, Kady Malloy, Asia'h Epperson, Danny Noriega) left the American Idol stage for good, and our Idol Experts made their calls before Thursday's Week 3 Results Show.
Here's how they did!
A full recap of Ladies' Night, predictions and more fun from Clyde and Artie.
| Collins: Well, Julie Heart's still not here, but I'm sure she sends her love. And if she were here, she'd probably still be gloating about how David Cook wasn't entirely awful Tuesday night. But we're here now to talk about Ladies' Night! |
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| Funk: Oh, shoot. That was last night?! I didn't even see it... |
| Collins: What? Are you bloody serious?!! |
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| Funk: Naw, dogg. Just messin' with you! Of COURSE I watched, and it's gonna' be tough saying good-bye to 2 more of them this week. |
| Collins: Less tough for at least one, I think. But, more on that after we recap the performances! |
Continue reading "Idol Chatter 3-6-08: The Top 8 Ladies - Too Close to Call?" »
The Top 8 Guys go under our microscope! Who's in, who's out?
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| Funk: Dude, the guys did their thing, and we're gonna' have to go on without Julie Heart, this week! |
| Collins: It's true! Julie's off on holiday for her birthday, this week. She'll be back soon, fans. In the meantime...there's no one to stop us from mercilessly mocking David Cook's rapidly-retreating hairline, or from calling out Luke Menard as a talentless hack prettyboy who deserves to be shot into space without a helmet. |
= BEEP-BEEP BOOP BOOP BOOP...BEEP-BEEP-BEEP BOOP BOOP! =
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| Funk: That, uh...that your phone, Clyde? |
| Collins: Yes, voice message. Just a moment. |
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| Funk: Your ringtone is "Funkytown?!" Yo, Clyde...dude, what's up with that? |
| Collins: Julie keeps changing it, whenever I leave it on the desk. And...I don't know how to fix it. Actually, speak of the devil...the voice message is from her! |
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| Funk: Yo, speakerphone! |
| Collins: It's a new phone. I'm...not really certain...how...um...oh, there it is. |
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| Heart: Okay, Clyde. I know it's about the time we'd usually be in the office, working on the column...so, I just wanted to send some suggestions for while I'm away. First of all...LEAVE DAVID COOK'S HAIR ALONE! HE'S A GREAT SINGER, AND YOU GUYS ARE COMPLETELY WRONG ABOUT HIM! |
| Collins: I'm already regretting this speakerphone idea. |
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| Heart: Also, make sure the Chatterheads all know how much I wish I could be there. I'm off on a ski trip, but there's nothing worse than missing American Idol, in my mind. I'll be watching, and I'll definitely have a few thoughts on this week's performances when I get back! Most importantly, have fun, boys...but don't be too mean! Keep in mind that whatever you end up posting, I'll be READING! See you next week! |
= BOOOOOOP! =
| Collins: Well, there you are. Miss Heart wishes you all well, and...well, Artie, looks like she wants us to be on our best behavior while she's away! |
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| Funk: That in mind, I think it's time to unveil this week's Idol Chatter sponsor, and start the column! |
Continue reading "Idol Chatter 3-5-08: Just the Boys on the Top 8 Boys!" »
Mariah Carey.
Bono.
John Legend.
Annie Lennox.
Snoop Dogg.
Sounds like a list of singers whose songs the hopefuls on American Idol might cover. But, it's REALLY just a few of the big-name singers and celebrities set to appear on the now-annual Idol Gives Back special, April 9th on FOX43!
Want more?
Reese Witherspoon.
Fergie.
Peyton and Eli Manning.
And the list goes on (and gets hotter)!
Continue reading "Idol Chatter 3-3-08: Fun IDOL GIVES BACK Details" »
How did the FOX43 Idol Experts do on their Week 2 predictions?
Off the top, an apology to our dear, sweet, attractive and spunky Idol Expert, Julie. Somehow, her predictions for Ladies' Night were not properly posted, and the Wednesday show post went live with her predictions from Guys' Night, instead.
This was CLEARLY an error, and we'll blame Clyde for that.
Our apologies to Ms. Heart for the mix-up, and the necessary corrections have been made. Check it out before reading these results if you want to see her predictions before you find out whether she was right or wrong.
So...let's get to it!
4 had to go home...but few potential shockers were in that unlucky group! Who was sent packing?
4 contestants (Jason Yeager, Alexandrea Lushington, Alaina Whitaker, and Robbie Carrico) went home, and our Idol Experts made their calls before Thursday's Week 2 Results Show.
How did they do?
A full recap of Ladies' Night, predictions and some enjoyable bickering. Wipe your feet and step inside.
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| Heart: The girls did a good job last night, overall. I think they were better than the guys last week, but this week's a little more even! |
| Collins: The show peaked with the third performance. That's NOT a good sign. I was disappointed, and a lot of it was due to poor song choices. |
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| Funk: Disappointing is RIGHT. Let down. Crushed! Only TWO great performances, and a few a'ight ones. I hope they step it up next week... |
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| Heart: Let's talk more about THIS week. Who did well, and what went wrong with the others! |
Continue reading "Idol Chatter 2-27-08: The Ladies Go 70s (Week 2)" »
A full recap of Guys Night, predictions and the usual craziness. Jump in!
| Collins: I actually thought the fellas were a bit stronger, this week. It'd be hard for a few of them to be WORSE, but...overall, a fine night. |
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| Heart: I absolutely agree! They were better this week, and I think we finally had our first "Wow Moment" out of the top guys, this season! |
| Collins: Though, I'm SURE we'll disagree on which moment that was, Julie... |
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| Funk: There were THREE really good performances, I thought. But, hey...let's get to it. There's a lot to say about these cats! |
Continue reading "Idol Chatter 2-27-08: Top 10 Guys (Week 2)" »
How did the FOX43 Idol Experts do on their Week 1 predictions?
2 nights of singing, 1 night of cuts...and we're down to the Top 20, already!
4 contestants (Garrett Haley, Colton Berry, Amy Davis and Joanne B