May 9, 2008
On next Tuesday's American Idol Top 3 performance show, each of the final three singers (David Cook, David Archuleta and Syesha Mercado) will perform three songs each. The Top 3 week is a notorious one for the remaining singers. Not only are they faced with the task of singing more songs than they've ever sung before, they have to take a trip back to their hometown for an impromptu concert. When you add the additional pressure of, you know, simply being in the American Idol final three, you realize that the three finalists are in for a tough week. Which got me thinking: which of the remaining singers is best prepared to endure the rigors of the next week?
May 8, 2008
Jason Castro is a likable dude. Listening to his conference call with the media this morning, you can't help but like the guy – he has no ego, is remarkably laid-back and doesn't take himself at all seriously. Unlike some American Idol contestants, the modesty is real. When Castro was eliminated from American Idol last night, he was relieved – never has someone been happier to get the boot from American Idol. The reason was simple – he had a hard time learning two songs in a week, learning three was going to be near impossible. Below you'll find the highlights of the conference call Jason held this morning.
May 7, 2008
You know exactly what American Idol wants. They want David vs. David. They want The Youngster vs. The Old Pro. David Archuleta and David Cook are completely different singers, appealing to vastly different kinds of American Idol viewers. We're not to the final two just yet, but it'd take a miracle to stop the inevitable David showdown. Tonight's show did nothing to derail that train. With only four singers left, there wasn't much in the way of results to show on-air. Ryan Seacrest told two singers at the start of the show that they were safe, and then we all waited forty minutes for the final results. Tonight's Idol was better in terms of the quality of filler, with Maroon 5 and Bo Bice filling the wait time between initial and final results.
May 7, 2008
American Idol has surprised me every week. I am zero for the season in my elimination predictions and, frankly, it might be kind of fun to keep the streak of futility going. Tonight's American Idol results show appears to be a foregone conclusion - almost everyone believes that Jason Castro should be, and will be, eliminated. My prediction is for Jason Castro to go home. Something has to give - either my streak of futility ends, or American Idol's streak of surprising everyone ends. David Archuleta and David Cook are 99% for sure safe. Syesha Mercado seemingly saved herself a spot int he top 3 with two solid, if not spectacular performances. However, if someone is the victim of a shocking elimination, it will most likely be Syesha. I'll be here throughout the entire American Idol results show tonight, giving live updates as the results roll in.
May 7, 2008
For the first time in weeks and weeks, there is an absolute, prohibitive favorite to be eliminated tonight on American Idol. Thanks to one abysmal performance and another one scarred by forgotten lyrics, Jason Castro is probably on his way off the grand American Idol stage. Some of you are probably thinking “it's about time.” Fair enough. Castro isn't your typical Idol performer – not blessed with a big voice, an upbeat personality or a rabid desire for stardom, Castro's ascension was more or less an anomaly. That doesn't mean I don't like him, but I understand those who have been calling for his head. Both John Kubicek and I are picking the dread-locked wonder to be eliminated tonight, and we discuss that and a whole boatload of other topics on our most recent edition of John vs. Oscar.
May 6, 2008
Tonight's American Idol performance show provided a profound dilemma. It's one that was discussed briefly earlier in the season, but tonight brought it to the forefront: How do you judge a performance that is technically excellent, yet not your cup of tea, versus a performance that was technically poor, yet in a style you enjoy? This question has permeated this season of American Idol, especially with contestants like Brooke White and Jason Castro who are, in vocal terms, much more style than substance. Complicating matters has been David Archuleta, who's been robotic in his excellence – vocally head and shoulders above most of his competition, but full of annoying habits that have kept me and countless others from jumping on the Archie bandwagon. Granted, since this is music, everything I say is based on a subjective opinion. There's a difference between saying a singer is bad, and saying you don't like a singer. I will admit that Archuleta is a very good singer. That doesn't mean I like him. But, am I obligated to rank him high on a night where he excelled at what he does (which I don't enjoy) or rank him on a purely personal level?
May 6, 2008
And then there were four. Jason Castro was not expected to make it this far. The dread-locked, laid back Texan wasn't featured once during the audition episodes (usually a bad sign) and even when he made the Top 12, I'm not sure anybody thought he'd outlast the likes of Carly Smithson and Brooke White. Same goes for Syesha Mercado - she was "supposed" to be eliminated weeks ago. Yet, she's steadily improved and sung well enough to forever become a part of American Idol lore. American Idol is winding down, folks, and the favorites remain David Cook and David Archuleta. While it was once assumed that Archuleta would win American Idol going away, Cook has been picking up momentum for weeks. Tonight, the theme has something to do with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which should provide a broad base of available songs, and hopefully increase the quality of the performances. Paula, get your notes ready, because here comes your American Idol top 4.
May 5, 2008
Paula Abdul is not good at her job. This is non-negotiable. There are millions upon millions of American Idol fans, though you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who disagrees with the above statement. Abdul has consistently under-performed, been a source of comedy and ridicule, and has endured a multitude of embarrassing moments on national television in front of the biggest audience in the world. Her most recent, and highly-publicized, misstep occurred last week when she critiqued a performance during the live American Idol broadcast she had only seen during dress rehearsal. It was a bizarre moment, though I didn't find it as big of a deal as others. Some are calling for her head, saying that the mistake is grounds for termination. In a vacuum, it wasn't that big a deal, and she should not be removed from American Idol simply for that one instance. What people seem to be over-looking, however, is that this latest flub is just one in a series of incidents that have shown Abdul to be an inept employee, one not qualified for her job and a person whose continued employment by TV's number one franchise is baffling.