Idol Thoughts

2006-07-18T07:58:00.000-07:00

Katharine McPhee - The Missing Idol

A lot has been written about Katharine McPhee missing the first two weeks of the Idol tour. People on both sides of the argument have separate opinions on this, and some of the accusations are downright mean. A note, allegedly from Katharine, appeared on her website and she has stated that she is very sorry to have disappointed her fans. I can't help but think there is a medical reason for her having been MIA, because she has a contractual obligation to do this tour.

If she can't sing, she can't sing. That's really the bottom line. But the timing of this couldn't be worse, and when she does join the tour, it's going to take a little time to get back into the flow that the other nine have established. Will she be welcomed with open arms? No one knows this but the other Idols, and they are not talking. Will she be forgiven by her fans? That too remains to be seen.

Some people compare this to Bo's situation last year. Of course, Bo started out on the tour and was stricken in August, missing three weeks only to return (against his doctor's orders) for the last two shows in Syracuse. The situation really isn't the same, although the way the tour organizers handled it was equally inept.

One thing I do know is that, the longer she stays out, the more fans she will lose. And, even more important, the fewer new fans she will attract. And, to me at least, that may be more important in the long run that disappointing her existing fans.

Sometimes a performer really does draw in new fans on the tour. I was not a Constantine fan last year - didn't "get" him at all. But when I saw him live, I understood. The man has amazing energy and totally commands the stage. And then I had a chance to meet him and talk to him, and was impressed by his intelligence and sensitivity. I liked him as a person. That feeling lingers and I am planning to go see him in August. He made a new fan (not a crazed fan, but an admirer) on that tour show. And that's an opportunity that Katharine is missing here.

There has been chatter on the Internet that she will be back "around" the 21st. That puts her in Rochester, NY - certainly not a major hub, and nowhere near as high profile a locale as New York. It also appears that she will not be appearing on The View this week as previously advertised. That's probably a wise move on her part. We'll be watching this one, that's for sure.

2006-07-15T10:48:00.000-07:00

What's Up?

I need a vacation! I am trying to cut back on the writing I do on these blogs, but don't want to lose the momentum. I put an "out of office" note up on the website, and don't intend to do much with that until fall. What I should do is consolidate all of these sites into one. Now that would make sense!

At any rate, this blog is the easiest to maintain, and will probably be where I do most of my writing this summer. I like the way this blog is laid out, and how easy it is to use. I actually set up a blog on Word Press too, but I think that's overkill!

I have a confession to make. I am frustrated that I have been unable to connect with any of this season's Idols. In year's past, I have had an "in" with someone and have gotten into the meet and greets and had great seats. This just isn't happening this year, though, and while I do have a ticket to the Syracuse show (not a great one), I want more! Whaa whaa, you say. Well, you're right. It isn't because I feel entitled; I don't. It's just that I do spend a lot of time writing about this show and promoting my favorites to the world. These little perks have made that effort worthwhile in season's past, and the kindnesses of these people (Bo and George Huff to be specific) haven't been forgotten, and never will be.

So maybe I've run out of steam and/or influence. Other bloggers are getting the attention, and they certainly deserve it. Gray Charles, who recently had dinner with Taylor, more than deserves the attention for all the time he devoted to maintaining his blog/site. I don't begrudge them the attention. I just want a little too!

I realize this makes me sound like a spoiled brat. Reading it back, I feel like deleting the entire entry. But I won't, at least not now. This is how I feel, dammit! So there.

But you know what? I will still support Taylor and the others, write my Idol Thoughts, review the concert, and buy the CDs. How can I not? I just needed to vent, that's all!

2006-07-15T08:39:00.000-07:00

July 7: Random Thoughts

This year's American Idols Live tour kicked off on Wednesday night in Manchester, NH, and from all reports, it is a keeper. Taylor fans will not be disappointed as he rips through seven or eight songs, plays guitar and harmonica, and of course, shows off his crazy dance steps. I won't spoil the set list for those of you who are planning on attending and want to be surprised, but let's just say it's eclectic. If you really want to know, here's a review from USA Today.

Katharine McPhee missed the opener, suffering from laryngitis and bronchitis. She is expected to return for the weekend shows. Kat's single did pretty well its first week, selling a combined total of 75,000 copies and ending up at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100. She didn't sell enough to hit #1 on the single sales chart, though, which doesn't bode real well for future sales. That spot continues to be occupied by Taylor Hicks.

By the way, Taylor's song "The Fall," is getting some regional airplay and is beginning to get noticed by other stations outside the area. It's a great song and certainly one that could be commercially successful.

Kudos to Bo Bice for his outstanding performance of the National Anthem on NBC's 4th of July special. Bo sang it a capella, cleanly and simply, with no vocal gymnastics. It was beautiful. Bo continues to wow fans wherever he goes, and while the reviews aren't always glowing, he's gaining respect. In an interview in Billboard, Bo says he is glad to be out of the Idol spotlight and having a chance to do his own thing.

Sad news! Kellie Pickler and Constantine are no more. In an interview with People, Con claims that he and Kellie were hanging out for a while, but he hasn't heard from her in a while. He really doesn't know why, but speculates that she just got tired of people asking her about him. Or, it could be that she was preparing for a national tour, Con.

Looks like Clay Aiken's next CD is due for a September release. Signs in Barnes and Nobles are also listing Ruben's Return of the Velvet Teddy Bear for September 26, and Fantasia's for October. Sounds about right!

You know, I keep thinking that I'm going to run out of material to write about, but Idol news never stops. Pretty soon the auditions for season six will begin, and the tour will certainly produce some interesting tidbits.

Don't forget to pick up your copy of Taylor's single. A portion of the proceeds on the sale of Taylor's single will be donated to the Red Cross - .25 for each single, .15 for digital downloads, and .20 for ringtones and ringbacks. Even more reason to support Taylor! And, if you can't find it in the store, you can grab a copy by clicking on the link below.

2006-07-12T07:28:00.000-07:00

Writing Opportunity

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2006-07-11T19:54:00.000-07:00

Idols in Albany

The Idols took on the Pepsi Arena in Albany last night, and from everything I've heard, the crowd loved 'em. Chris Daughtry, who finally got his record deal with 19 Recordings/RCA Records this week, was a big hit. Elliott's mom was on-hand for the event, the first time she's seen the show. But it was Taylor Hicks who dominated the second half of the show with his seven song set that includes, "Livin' for the City," "Hollywood Nights," and "Do I Make You Proud."

The Idols arrived in Albany on Monday, and were able to get out and about a bit, enjoying some local restaurants and meeting fans. There was some speculation that Katharine was in town (a poster on the Idol message boards reported actually speaking to her). But apparently, if she was there, she didn't show up at the concert.

This leads me to my rant of the day! If Katharine can't sing, and isn't even supposed to be talking, why can't they just bring her out on the stage, let her wave to the crowd and then leave? This would certainly shut up all of these people who are crazy with conspiracy theories. The organizers and PR people are really blowing it big time here. The problem is, these kids are paid per show, and they aren't going to pay her just to show up. She has to sing. All these conspiracy people seem to think that she should be on the road with them anyway, despite not being able to speak. Why would she do that if she isn't getting paid?

Again, I'll say it. Katharine will most certainly be back. There's no way she can get out of this contract, and the tour is part of the package. Period. End of discussion. She will return, she will sing, and that's that!

Constantine Hits the Road

Constantine Maroulis will be doing a number of shows in August, including the Spiedie Fest in Binghamton on August 6. Here's his schedule:

8/1 Richmond, VA Have A Nice Day Cafe- Benefit For VSA Arts of Virginia
8/2 Baltimore, MD Rams Head Live
8/3 Dewey Beach, DE Rusty Rudder (Free Show/21+)
8/4 Amagansett, NY Stephens Talkhouse
8/5 Sayreville, NJ Starland Ballroom
8/6 Binghamton, NY Spiedie Fest- Otsiningo Park
8/7 Lancaster, PA Chameleon
8/9 New York, NY Joe's Pub
8/10 Allentown, PA Crocodile Rock
8/11 Atlantic City, NJ Club Harlem Ballroom @ House of Blues
8/12 Boston, MA Paradise (18+)
8/13 Burlington, VT Higher Ground8/15 Hampton Beach, NH Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom

2006-07-06T20:09:00.000-07:00

Seems as though the media can't get enough of Taylor Hicks. There are articles about "first crush," his supposed displeasure in "Do I Make You Proud," his numerous impromptu appearances, his commercial success, and of course, his preparation for the Idol tour show, which kicks off on July 5 in Manchester, NH.

Taylor has numerous fansites, and in an exclusive interview with Gray Charles, let his fans know that http://www.taylorhicks.com/ will be up and running soon. No question, Taylor Hicks is HOT right now, and his popularity will only increase as the tour winds its way through North America.

But, of course, there's a down side to all of this. Taylor is walking a thin line right now. As a seasoned musician, he recognizes the need to establish his credibility from the get-go. He can't afford to be perceived as being "cheesy," and must not only focus on his tour performances, but also on planning his first album. He doesn't have much time, after all. What he does this year really will set the tone for the next few years.

Taylor's set list for the tour show should be a pretty good indicator as to how much leeway he's being given. He has said in interviews that he will be playing guitar and harmonica, and is pleased with the songs he's selected. Hopefully, he'll be able to keep them fresh over the course of 60 shows. All of this is cloaked in mystery right now, but certainly, after the first show, all will be revealed. I think Taylor (and all the Idols) will be totally blown away by the reception that they are going to get on the road. It's going to be wild!

I wish all the Idols a great tour and look forward to seeing them in Syracuse on September 17. We'll continue to follow Taylor and the others on the charts, and have some updates from the road, including reviews, the set list, and other tidbits.

2006-06-22T18:53:00.000-07:00

Soul Patrol Meets Snoop Dogg!

No, your eyes aren't deceiving you, and this photo's not "shopped!" This year's American Idol is quickly letting people know that he's more than just a pretty face, and that he is a serious musician with a love for all kinds of music. Taylor's appearance on Saturday at City Stages in Birmingham wasn't long - he only did one song with Snoop and mostly just played harp, but it was enough to make a pretty startling statement. Taylor Hicks may be the American Idol, but he's no cheesy poster child for the show! As for Snoop, he seemed to be amused by Taylor but certainly had to recognize that this "funky white boy" is pretty hot right now! Here's a clip.

Sunday afternoon, Taylor took the stage with the Little Memphis Blues Orchestra, and got right back into step with his old bandmates. This is obviously still where he feels most comfortable, and the people who were lucky enough to be there were not disappointed. Taylor has come full circle, that's for sure. Last year, he performed at the very same festival, certainly for a smaller audience! It's all about the music, folks, and Taylor is just getting started. Click here for a 20-minute clip of Taylor with the LMBO!

Taylor is doing this his way, and don't be surprised to see him turning up in all kinds of places as the tour bus winds its way through America this summer. As for me, I'd be happy to take him to my favorite blues and barbeque spot in Syracuse for some ribs and a little music. Call me, Taylor, OK

Idols to Appear at Binghamton, NY Festival

If you're a fan of Anthony Fedorov, LaToya London, Kevin Covais, or Constantine Maroulis, mark your calendar now for the first weekend in August. They will all be appearing at the annual Spiedie Fest on August 6 in Binghamton, NY. Anthony, LaToya, and Kevin will be singing a couple of songs and then signing autographs starting at 2:00 p.m. Constantine will be onstage at 4:00 p.m.

Speaking of Anthony, be sure to check out Fear Factor on Tuesday (6/20). He and Carmen Rasmusen are teamed up as part of an all-Reality Star three episode event. The first show aired on 6/13, and Anthony and Carmen have advanced to the next round! They actually did pretty well, and seem determined to prove their mettle up against the likes of the infamous Jonny Fairplay from Survivor. The three-part episode will conclude on 6/27.

2006-06-09T19:29:00.000-07:00

June 9: Random Thoughts

After last week’s glut of media coverage on Taylor and Katharine, this week’s drought is killin’ me! There’s almost no news out there, and I need me a dose! Lucky for me, Bo Bice will be performing at the Coors Light Balloon Festival in Jamesville, NY this weekend, and I am definitely going to be there! I can’t wait. Hopefully, I’ll have a chance to say howdy and congratulate Bo on his success over the past year. I’ll have a review of the show posted on Foxes on Idol early next week.

With all the excitement over Idol’s fifth season, I admit that I have neglected my favorites from seasons past. That doesn’t mean I’ve not been following them, though. What’s cool about Bo is that he’s been so busy, it’s been hard to keep up with him.

Bo and his band, which includes members of his old Birmingham band SugarMoney, have been working hard, appearing in clubs, at fairs, and festivals. Sure, Idol kick-started his career, allowing him to sign a big-time record deal and release an album, but as the runner-up, he didn’t get the kind of publicity that Carrie did as the winner.

Bo’s had to work very hard over this past year, surviving a broken foot and major surgery, along with getting married and welcoming a son into the world. In the process, he’s won over new fans and gotten his single, “The Real Thing,” a lot of airplay. The CD is still selling (over 625,000 copies and still moving) too. At each stop along the road, people who never even saw him on Idol are discovering that this dude can rock!

Bo Bice should be very proud. He’s accomplished a great deal on his own, doing it the “old-fashioned way!” And, like thousands of artists before him, Bo’s discovered that it’s not all play. Ultimately, I think Bo will look back on this year with the satisfaction of knowing that his success is something that he’s worked very hard to achieve, and that’s what it’s all about, after all.

Bo’s upcoming June 23 gig with Lynyrd Skynyrd at the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, NJ on June 23 really has him jazzed! "Even when I was a kid and dreamed to one day be doing what I'm doing now this was never even in the dream, getting to jam with Skynyrd and stuff like that.,” he said recently. “It's definitely a big honor." The concert will be broadcast as part of VH1’s Classics series later this year.

2006-05-31T18:42:00.000-07:00

Idol Thoughts: Season Five is ready to go! I just couldn't wait to get this one out there! The book is a collection of my "Idol Thoughts" columns from season five, and documents the entire journey including a recap of the finale and my impressions of Taylor as the season progressed. I loved writing it, and I hope you will love reading it! Click here to order.

Click here for my storefront if you want to order Season Three or Season Four!
And don't forget to preorder Taylor's single, "Do I Make You Proud"/ "Takin' it to the Street" (the cover alone is worth the price!)

2006-05-29T17:59:00.000-07:00

Taylor Updates

Are you missin' Taylor? I know I am! Here's where you can catch him this week, along with some other info.

Taylor will be appearing on Live with Regis and Kelly on May 30. Anderson Cooper will be hosting the show! On Wednesday, the 31st, Taylor will be performing for the CBS Early Show around 9:00 a.m. There is, however, some question on whether this show is airing on the 31st or the next day. On June 1, he will be on the Today Show, performing Live in the Plaza. Taylor will wrap up his media-blitz week on June 2 when he will appear in a taped segment of Ellen.

If you love Taylor, and yearn to hear him sing his own, original material, you've got to check out his seven-track CD, Under the Radar? You can still buy it online from Birmingham's own Lasers Edge record store. Click here to order now!

A group of Taylor's fans are putting together the Soul Patrol Cookbook - a collection of recipes submitted by fans, which will ultimately be published and sold to benefit the Studio by the Tracks. This non-profit organization, located in Irondale, AL, provides free art classes for special needs adults and emotionally conflicted children. For more information, click here. This will be a fun way to propel the power of the Soul Patrol into something that will really benefit others.

Be sure to check out Gray Charles. com for music downloads, interesting adult chatter and more. You can also find news of Taylor at TaylorHicksFan.com. The show may be over, but Taylor-mania shows no sign of easing up anytime soon!

2006-05-26T21:09:00.000-07:00

The Larry King Live Interview

I waited all day for the Larry King Live interview featuring Taylor, Katharine, Randy Jackson, and hosted by Ryan Seacrest. I took care of all my errands, tossed in a load of laundry (I'm still catching up!), sat outside for a few minutes, and got everything ready so I could sit and enjoy watching Taylor for an hour. With no regular Tuesdays and Wednesdays, you gotta catch him when you can, you know!

Anyway, almost immediately, I started feeling a little irritated. Katharine began to talk, and it seemed as though she didn't stop until the hour was over. Taylor, who is obviously still very tired, sat back and let her run with it, answering questions when asked directly, but more or less conceding the hour to her. Randy tried to talk to Taylor, but Katharine kept jumping in and answering for him.

Taylor did manage to get in some very astute remarks about Elliott, and how beautifully he had evolved as an artist over the course of the competition, but otherwise, it was all Kat. She seemed irritated when asked about her alleged affiliation with Scientology (she isn't one according to her), and her comment when asked about the night Chris was eliminated was basically, "It wasn't a good night for me." Then she pouted about how that picture of her with her mouth open in shock is in "every magazine that I open." Hello, four months ago your face had never been in a national magazine.

Only a few callers got through, but they were all directed at Taylor. One asked the burning question - what was the actual percentage of the votes. Randy and Ryan danced around it, and finally Ryan said quietly, "It wasn't close!" It wasn't close, Kat. You are not the co-winner here.

Katharine, Katharine, Katharine... you had better get your attitude in check - NOW. You are not a diva and you didn't win American Idol. Yes, second is good, but please stop saying that it is as good as winning. It isn't. Taylor's fans worked very, very hard to bring home the victory, and your determination to act as a co-winner is not becoming to you. You are going to find yourself up on that big stage as part of the Idol tour, playing to a silent house if you don't start practicing a little teensy bit of humility!

I shall continue to practice restraint when it comes to Katharine. If Taylor can handle it, I figure I can too. But don't think for a minute that he's not filing all of this away in that crafty brain of his. Taylor Hicks may seem like a good-time guy, but inside, he's determined, focused, and knows exactly what he's doing.

2006-05-26T16:22:00.000-07:00

This is going to be fun! Taylor is making his rounds of the talk shows, starting with last night's appearance on the Tonight Show. Although Jay spent a good part of his monologue dissing Idol, he and Taylor quickly established a great rapport! Taylor was obviously tired, and quite loose, but he he certainly held his own for his first appearance on a non-Idol show.

He related the story of how he came to audition in Vegas. As you probably know, Taylor caught one of the last cabs out of New Orleans before Katrina hit and ended up getting a comp ticket. When he was asked where he wanted to go, he said he'd never been to Vegas and figured why not! Then, when the Memphis audition was cancelled, he went to Vegas, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Jay asked Taylor if he thought this was a coincidence or something more. Taylor responded that he believed it was fate. Indeed, Taylor said he doesn't believe in coincidence and that he was meant to do this. Jay also asked him about his father's reaction. Taylor related the story of how, when he told his father he was auditioning for Idol, his father told him to buy a lottery ticket. Jay asked how was his father reacting to all of this, and Taylor laughed and said, "He's freaking out!" I'm sure he is.

When you stop and think about it, the odds against his winning, or even getting on the show, were pretty steep. One guy with a dream and a plea that the judges give him a chance. It almost didn't happen.

We'll keep updating as more dates are confirmed. Tonight, he will be on Larry King Live, which is being hosted by Ryan Seacrest. Katharine and Randy will also be guests on this one-hour, live broadcast which airs at 9:00 p.m. EDT on CNN. I'll post a recap for tomorrow!

As of now, Taylor is also scheduled to appear on Live With Regis and Kelly on May 30. He will also be on the Today Show on June 1, performing live in the plaza.

And you can still visit the Gray Charles site for video clips. And don't forget to preorder Taylor's single "Do I Make You Proud"/"Takin' it to the Streets." Click here to preorder. It will be shipped on June 13 when it is released.

2006-05-25T15:12:00.000-07:00

I Got Them Idol Blues!

It hasn't even been 24 hours since Idol ended, and I'm already missing it! That feeling of anticipation is gone, and I am left with a kind of nostalgic, bluesy ennui that just won't quit. It happens every year, but seems even more severe this time around.

Maybe this is because I invested so much time and energy into this season. I wrote for two websites, maintained two blogs and my own personal website. Plus, I constantly surfed fansites and communicated by email with dozens of Taylor fans. I am a proud member of the Soul Patrol, and am now on a quest to find as many clips of the show as I can, and to scope out all the talk shows that Taylor is likely to hit in the next week or so.

We're in luck, of course. Taylor will appear on Jay Leno tonight (Thursday) and will be on Larry King Live tomorrow night (9:00 p.m. on CNN). Last year, Bo and Carrie did the King show and Ryan hosted. It was fun to see them outside of the Idol bubble, answering questions from King and callers. Don't miss it.

In the meantime, the Gray Charles site has a comprehensive listing of video clips and even an AOL link to the studio version of Taylor's single, "Do I Make You Proud." The cleaned-up version is pretty tasty! I like it a lot, and normally, I really don't dig the Idol single. Taylor makes everything special!

Click here to preorder Taylor's single from Amazon! It will be shipped on June 13 when it is released. In the meantime, let's get him to #1 on the Amazon sales chart. The Soul Patrol isn't just about votes! Right on!!!

2006-05-24T20:53:00.000-07:00

Taylor Wins American Idol - Woooooooooooooo

The results are in, and after a two-hour finale that was more Oscar than Idol, Taylor Hicks was crowned the fifth American Idol. What's interesting is how subdued he was at the moment he learned that he had won! I expected more, somehow, but certainly, I was not disappointed. You can read my complete blow-by-blow recap here.

The evening had many great highlights. Here are some of my favorite moments:

- Carrie Underwood opening the show with the rest of the Idols. This is, after all, what the show is all about, and I have missed having former Idols in the finale.

- Paris Bennett scatting with Al Jarreau on "We're in This Love Together." Paris held her own with this legend, and it made for an amazing performance.

- Chris Daughtry with Live. He sounded great and was in his element, that's for sure. If only he had made it to the finals!

- Elliott's "House is Not a Home" during the Bachrach medley. He sounded amazing. I also loved the pat on the back that he gave to Taylor at the end. That caused me to dissolve.

- Odd as it was, I totally enjoyed the Golden Idol featuring the kid who thought he was the next Clay Aiken. Having Clay actually appear on the show to sing with him was great television! Clay is a good sport, that's for sure.

- The ladies' medley was perfection. Mandisa is incredible, and that set was really strong. I hope they do something like this on the tour!

- Taylor on the harp during the guys' medley. Need I say more!

- Prince on American Idol. Again, this warrants no further explanation!

- Taylor outsinging a vamping Toni Braxton!

Of course, there were some less-than-memorable moments.

- What was up with Meatloaf and Katharine? She looked angry and ready to cry. Certainly, they could have come up with someone a little more mainstream or popular or something to sing with Kat?

- Why did they never go back to the home crowds again after introducing the twins and Tamyra Gray? Did they forget about them or something? Of course, once Taylor won, we saw the Birmingham crowd, but up until then, nada.

- Where was Bo? He was supposed to be there.

No matter. It was a satisfactory end to a great season. Taylor is the American Idol and the Soul Patrol has accomplished their mission. It was an extraordinary experience, and I am so happy that I was part of it. I'll have more on all of this tomorrow, but did want to get something up tonight. Look for my recap of the finale on www.realitynewsonline.com. It should be up shortly!
Woooooooooooooooooooo. Soul Patrol. We did it!!!

2006-05-23T18:54:00.000-07:00

American Idol 5 - Taylor vs. Katharine

I'll keep it short and sweet tonight (gotta vote, you know!) but wanted to at least post my impressions of the final performances. The build-up to this was massive, with all the entertainment shows touting the showdown and even the Today show and MSNBC spending mucho time on this event. Idol is HUGE, folks, and this time around has garnered more press than ever before.

So how did they do, our two remaining constestants? Katharine kicked off the night with "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree." She sang it standing up this time, and it was just a little less interesting than the first time around. She seemed a bit nervous (why wouldn't she be) but did a very good job with it. I liked the box drummers, a lot, and so, it seemed, did Katharine as she shimmied around them.

Taylor's first song was "Living for the City," the one he did on Stevie Wonder week. He started out in the audience, wearing a plush purple velvet jacket. He kicked it up a notch from his previous performance, but maintained control throughout. It was just the right mix of Taylor Hicks and Stevie to give him an edge over Katharine for round one.

Round two started out with Katharine singing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." She did a fabulous job with the song, but my problem was that we just heard it last week. No matter. She was controlled, and I daresay, did a better job with it this week than last. It was an emotional performance and she nailed it.

Taylor countered with "Levon." This was one of the first songs he sang in the competition, and while he did it very, very well, I actually would have preferred that he had done something else ("You Are So Beautiful" or "In the Ghetto" would have been my picks). But he did a great job with it, and his voice was controlled and steady. He added a couple of neat little riffs at the end, and sold it to the audience (which seemed very pro-Taylor I might add). The judges gave this round to Katharine, but I would say it was close.

Round three opened with Katharine singing her new single, "My Destiny." The song was the typical schlocky Idol coronation song, which was bad enough, but Katharine really didn't do this well at all. She was pitchy throughout and as she often does, she over-sang it. I can't fault her entirely, though, because the song was too low for her voice and really, just plain horrible. I felt kind of bad for her, actually, getting stuck with this drivel.

Taylor's Idol song was "Do I Make You Proud," another pretty mundane song, especially considering what a great songwriter Taylor is himself. The thing is, Taylor took it and literally sang it to his family, friends, and fans, and actually did make us all proud. He excited the audience and left them wanting more. It was Taylor's song by the time he was finished with it. And, in the end, Simon had to concede that Taylor had just won American Idol.

With that being said, I have to agree. Even if I weren't a Taylor fan, I think he out-performed Katharine tonight and having sold Simon, I hope that he sold the viewers who will ultimately make the decision. We'll find out on Wednesday night when the two-hour finale hits the airways at 8:00 p.m.

Now I must return to my voting duties!!!

2006-05-22T17:56:00.000-07:00

Voting Tips for the Uninitiated!

It's time to get down to business. The only way to ensure a Taylor Hicks victory is to get out the vote. The Gray Charles website has a comprehensive guide for the uninitiated that will walk you through the various options that are available for voting. Now I admit, it's pretty ridiculous that we have to go through all of this, but that's the way it goes. Click here to read the complete list.

The highlights:

1. Text Vote for Taylor - Remember, texting only works with Cingular Wireless phones, so if you don't have one, borrow one or better yet, buy a Go phone for the evening! There are no busy signals when you text and each text vote counts.

2. Land line or cell phone calls - As soon as you hear that the line has connected through with Taylor’s voice, “ Thank you for voting for me, Taylor” (click) HANG UP !!!!!!!!! DO NOT listen to the full length of the message. Don't call on the first line, as the uninitiated, casual callers will normally be using this line.

Gray Charles site is recommending that Soul Patrol voters call the following phone lines based upon the last 4 digits of their Social Security number.

The following is based on 4 vote lines to call in:

Line 2 0-3333
Line 3 3334-6666
Line 4 6667-9999

3. Online voting through Skype.com and DialIdol.com. Click on the links for instructions on using these services. The above Gray Charles link has some great tips for using both of these services.

Be sure that you give yourself time to practice, especially if you are new to texting or have not used Skype or DialIdol before. Don't wait until the last minute to download either.

Now get to it. I'm going for Skype myself!

2006-05-22T10:48:00.000-07:00

May 22 - It's a Soul Thing!

I discovered soul music way back when I was a teenager, spending summers in Narragansett, RI. Long before Narragansett became a hot-spot for tourists, it was a sleepy little oceanside town where locals were anything but toney and the living was definitely easy! In the summer, we used to hang out at the "wall" on Ocean Road. Across the street, where now stands a condominium project, there used to be a strip of rather seedy looking storefronts - a sub shop, a surf shop, and our favorite, the arcade.

On hot summer nights, the arcade was open air and a juke box inside pumped out the latest Motown hits to enliven the entire street. The Temptations, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye... you name it, it was in that juke box. My favorite song was always "Pucker up Buttercup" by the late, great Paul Jones. I can't hear that song without thinking of my summer crew from 'Ganset.

In college I got into the Dead, and even spent one amazing spring following them up and down the east coast. But always, it was soul music that spoke to me, and where I always return. Over the years, American Idol has brought a lot of that music back where it belongs, in front of the people! Doing the Motown theme nights (remember season three with the amazing Funk Brothers?) has helped to familiarize an entirely new generation with this great music. And this year, it's come full circle, and really is a "soul thing."

2006-05-21T10:17:00.000-07:00

May 21: Two days and Counting!

I have written four articles for Foxes on Idol this week, and figured that I'd said everything there was to say about this year's finale week. I should have known better. There really is no end to this! And so I sit, with about eight non-Idol related articles in my queue that I need to write, unable to focus on anything but Taylor and his quest to win American Idol 5. It is a sickness, I tell you.

All of this got me thinking about an article that I wrote exactly two years ago today called American Idol – A Guide to Withdrawal. I intend to link to it on FOI once the show is over, because I believe that there are going to be people who will benefit from reading it - myself included. After four months of a twice-weekly dose, going cold turkey is painful!

In the meantime, enjoy the week to come. It is certain to be an incredible experience, and no matter what the outcome, one that you will remember forever. I can still remember the jubilation that I felt the night that Fantasia won. I stood up as she sang "I Believe," and cried with her. It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it. Last year, when Bo performed with Lynyrd Skynyrd, I thought my heart would burst with pride and excitement for him. The year that Kelly won, I was surprised by the intensity of my joy, and I will always remember that moment just before Ryan read Ruben's name as the winner of AI2. I just knew it would be Clay, and when Ruben's name was announced, I literally felt my heart sink.

This week, we will watch on Tuesday as Taylor and Katharine pull out all the stops and go for the win. They both want it, and I am sure that their performances will be outstanding. After the show, we'll vote as though our very lives depended on it, and then we will tune in on Wednesday and wait through the two hours of fluff and frivolity for Ryan to announce the winner. There will be a moment, just before the winner's name is announced, when we will hold our collective breaths. Someone in the audience will shout out "Soul Patrol," and everyone will laugh. Then, Ryan will read the card.

As you prepare to vote this week, imagine that moment. Think about how much you want to see Taylor's reaction as the winner. Imagine him leaping into the air, whooooooing with glee, and collapsing on the stage while at the same time pumping his arm and shouting "Soul Patrol." We will laugh and cry at the same time, and this feeling will intensify as he sings us out with the "crappy coronation song." Think about how proud you will be when you traipse to your local record outlet to buy his first single. Imagine the feeling of seeing his name at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 singles list. And then, set all this aside, and vote like you've never voted before. Taylor Hicks MUST win.

2006-05-20T10:01:00.000-07:00

May 20: The Calm Before the Storm

I have finished up this week's Idol Thoughts column and feel "cleansed." It is a departure for me in that I have taken a look at the popularity of this year's show and explained why I think more people than ever before have found an escape by watching. I needed to redeem myself in the eyes of those who thought that I had lost my mind and was incapable of objectivity, and I thought it was time to prove that I could still be a serious journalist.

American Idol has always created communities, but this year it seems, the intensity is greater, and the dedication more ferocious than ever before. I attribute all of this to the general state of affairs in our country today and the need that we have to focus on something less dire, if even for a few hours a week. We have no control over the price of gas, global warming, or the war in Iraq, and for me, personally, this is frustrating as hell. But we can tell Simon and the producers of Idol that we don't care what they think. We want who we want and will not be denied until the deal is sealed. We're "mad as hell, and we're not going to take it anymore!"

I know that I feel vindicated by Taylor's having made the finals. He's been my favorite from his first audition and I haven't invested this much time and emotion in an Idol contestant ever. I had to look at the reasons why and realize that I really want my favorite to win. Not that I didn't support Bo last season, I did. But I didn't really want him to win because I honestly believed that he would be better off out of the clutches of the Idol machine. I was wrong about that for a lot of reasons, but mostly because as runner-up, Bo has had to work doubly hard to keep his name out there and get airplay. In the end, he will have the satisfaction of knowing that he's accomplished a great deal due to his own efforts, but it would have been easier had he won.

Taylor needs to win for the same reason. I have no doubt that he will be able to handle the pressure and assert his will appropriately when it comes time to record his album. He has, after all, refused to bend to the pressure of covering up the gray! I suspect that beneath that jovial exterior beats the heart of a man who is very strong-willed and who will not be a pushover. Plus, I want to see his reaction when Ryan reads his name as the winner. That moment will make it all worthwhile.

So we wait.

2006-05-20T10:00:00.001-07:00

May 19: Random Thoughts!

I think I have recovered sufficiently from Wednesday night to put together a few coherent sentences! My emotional response to Elliott’s elimination surprised me. I always liked him well enough, but didn’t realize how much I respected him until I watched his reaction to the homecoming footage and the gracious way that he handled his departure. Elliott Yamin is a class act.

Of course, he’s not really going home. All of the Idols are back in L.A., rehearsing for the finale, and as the third place finisher, Elliott will get a bit more screen time than the rest of them. I expect Chris will have a featured spot as well, considering how popular he is. Last year, they split up the top 12, and each group performed with an established artist. It was cool, but I would much prefer having former Idols return to the stage. I suspect that might be the plan for this year.

In fact, Carrie was on the Today show on Thursday, and told Katie that she will be performing on the finale show and will be “passing the torch” to the new American Idol. Bo will also be participating, although I am not sure in what capacity. I am guessing that they will have him do the commentary from the Taylor camp in Birmingham, which is a smart move if you think about it. Bo has a lot of fans who will tune in just to see him, thus helping to boost the ratings. Plus, Bo is just so much fun to watch, no matter what he’s doing!

This week, I’m planning a “tale of the tapes” article on Taylor and Katharine, pointing out their strengths and weaknesses, and offering some unsolicited advice on song choice. I do this every year before the finale, and although I doubt that the finalists have a chance to read it, I enjoy putting it together. Plus, it gives me a chance to prove that I can be objective! Any and all input would be appreciated at this point!

Speaking of input, I would like to say thanks to all of you who emailed me this week in response to my somewhat emotional defense of Taylor. The responses ranged from being called “the smartest person in America,” to being called “hysterical!” It certainly elicited some emotion, and I have been told that this article was widely circulated. As I said, it was my small contribution to bring attention to Taylor, and hopefully, bring in a few more votes. I’d like to think it helped a little.

2006-05-17T20:29:00.000-07:00

American Idol 5 - Top 3 Results

Ryan opens the show and spots Kellie and Ace in the audience. He jokes about them being a “happy couple.” He then tells us that, so far this season, 515 million votes have been cast, and this week there were 50 million votes. He then says that close doesn’t even describe the margin of votes, and teases us by asking whether we will have a guy/girl finale like Bo and Carrie, or will Taylor and Elliott slug it out like Ruben and Clay? He introduces the judges and Randy boos Simon. Paula tries to boo, but can’t quite get it out.

We have our mandatory review of the performances. It was quite a night. We go to break, and of course, this week’s Ford commercial. It’s a good one. The Idols are rapping to “Young at Heart,” and they are all made up to look like senior citizens. Elliott’s got the old-man argyle, and Katharine’s in a red jogging suit with a blond wig and a jumbo-sized booty! Taylor looks adorable in his old man garb, holding up his boom box. They have a scene in a hot tub, and then magically return to their youth as they drive off in a hot red Mustang.

Ryan says that they had a chance to go home last week. But before they head for home, Rebecca Romijn and Hugh Jackman, the stars of X-Man: The Last Stand present them with an advance cut of the movie.

Back to the live action. Ryan asks Taylor to describe his trip home, and he says that he went on a Southern food tour. He tells us that he ate ribs and pancakes for breakfast. He started out on the radio with Rick and Bubba. After the radio station, Taylor arrived at Fox 6 where he clowned around with the weather man, and then did a mini-concert with his band on the rooftop.
Taylor was then paraded through downtown Birmingham accompanied by a marching band, cheerleaders, and thousands of people. At the park, he was given a key to the city by Mayor Bernard Kincaid, and then it was off to Hoover to the mall. At this point, Taylor is in shock. At the mall, 12,000 people await as he descends in a glass elevator. Hoover Mayor, Tom Petelos, gives him a key to Hoover, and then Taylor gets another chance to perform with his band. Then it’s off to the governor’s mansion. He is greeted by Robert Riley and his wife, and the governor proclaims it to be Taylor Hicks Day. Back in the limo, Taylor tells us that he was totally amazed by the support.

We go live again, and Taylor tells Ryan that he is speechless. But he doesn’t have much time to dwell in the moment. Tonight, the three finalists will be performing their tracks from the upcoming Idol CD, American Idol Season Five Encores, due to be released May 23. Taylor’s song is “Takin’ it to the Streets,” one of his many memorable performances. He really gets into it too, dancing over to Elliott and Katharine, and then inviting them to come out on the stage with him to dance. They dance, he sings, and it feels like a party. They return to the couch, and Taylor dances back over. What a guy!

Next is Katharine’s homecoming. Of course, since she lives ten minutes away, she didn’t get a private jet, but she is in a stretch limo and up at 6:30 a.m. to start her day. She heads for her favorite radio station, KROQ, to appear on the Kevin and Bean show. Katharine tells us that she has always wanted to be on the radio. After the interview, she gets a helicopter ride to her high school where she is greeted by hundreds of students. After seeing the huge crowds that gathered for Taylor, Katharine’s event seems a bit pathetic. I can’t believe it, actually. Anyway, she sings “God Bless the Child,” and some kid holds up a sign that reads “Will U Marry Me.”
After this, she goes to her parents’ home where family and friends have gathered. She meets her new 8-day old goddaughter and has a chance to see her dog, Lilly. Back live, Katharine acknowledges that she didn’t have thousands, but she was grateful for the chance to see the people that matter most to her. She then sings her track, “Think.” She kicks off her heels and dances around the audience.

It’s Elliott’s turn. He tells Ryan that his homecoming was incredible. He says that Richmond was absolutely amazing and the huge turnout was very unusual. Elliott says he felt like a king for a minute and that he will take this experience with him for the rest of his life. I can feel the emotion building already. We watch as Elliott gets off the jet and celebrate being back home. He rides into town in a white limo, and we see that crowds have already gathered. He stops at the radio station, and then heads off to the pharmacy where he used to work. The people are hysterical meeting him, and he reminds them that he is still the same old Elliott. After the pharmacy, a parade takes him through Richmond to the park. There are people everywhere, even on the rooftops. Elliott sings “Home.”

Another parade brings Elliott and his mother, Claudette, to the baseball stadium. Mom is completely overwhelmed by all of this and breaks down in the car. I think anyone watching who has a heart has dissolved by this time. Elliott gets a baseball jersey, throws out the first pitch, and sings. He says that he feels like the luckiest guy on the planet.

Back live, Elliott is tearful after having watched the clip. His mom is also in tears, as is Paula. Elliott gives a sweet shout-out to his mother, and Ryan also credits her for her support. Then, Elliott sings his track, “Moody’s Mood for Love." I mean he sails through it. Paula is grinning and dancing, and Katharine is singing along. Taylor looks very nervous.

Elliott finishes up his song, and then Ryan plugs the CD once again. He then tallies up the successes of previous seasons’ contestants, telling us that they have had 90 #1 singles, 29 gold and platinum albums, and $33 million in album sales. Pretty impressive, I would say! He then introduces Clive Davis, and the Idols present him with a plaque to commemorate the $33 million sales mark.

In his acceptance speech, Clive talks about how, early on, the skeptics said that no real artists would emerge from a show like American Idol, but how from the start, they been proven wrong. He cites Kelly’s sales figures for Thankful, and then tells us that Breakaway has sold ten million copies (he calls them units) worldwide, even in countries that never got to see her on the show. He notes that Kelly won two Grammys, and then goes on to recount the successes of Ruben (two million units sold) and Clay (three million). He pays special homage to Fantasia who has sold two million copies of Free Yourself and was nominated for four Grammys. He doesn’t forget Bo, whose album, he tells us, is well on the way to platinum. He tells us that Carrie’s CD has sold three million copies.

Clive expresses his gratitude to the Idol producers, the judges, and to the viewers for their role in revitalizing the pop music industry, and accepts the award on behalf of everyone at his various record companies.

Finally, it’s time to get to the results. Ryan stands in front of a huge billboard-type screen. The figure 33.06% is displayed, followed by 33.26% and 33.68%. This is, he tells us, the way the 50 million votes broke down. He then asks us whose name goes with what number. “Who is so close, but is going home?” There is dead silence in the audience. 33.06% is alone on the screen, and then Elliott’s name appears. Elliott is going home.

Ryan congratulates Elliott, who is upbeat, and says that he is truly blessed and proud. He gives another shout-out to his mother and says that he is so blessed to have been able to share this with her and his brother. We watch his farewell video, which is heartbreaking. He sings us out, and I am left feeling very sad.

Next week, we move to the Kodak Theatre for the final performances. I would have much preferred that Elliott be there, but that’s the way the Idol cookie crumbles, after all. I am not comforted by how close the votes were, and wish that they could have done a three-way final. That would have been nice. But that’s not the way it’s going to be, and we are left with Katharine and Taylor. I've got a lot to say about this, but will refrain for now.

2006-05-16T18:57:00.000-07:00

American Idol 5 - The Top Three

I’m going to try to write this recap as I watch the show… here goes. I am so excited that I am hyperventilating here! Ryan looks rather furry tonight, still hasn’t shaved. Roseanne Barr is in the audience tonight. Ryan brings up Chris Daughtry and the audience boos loudly. He really should still be there.

Clive Davis is in the house and we have a little clip of his accomplishments. Davis has signed the great ones, from Janis Joplin to Alicia Keys and just about everyone in between. Now he’s “Big Daddy” to the Idols and certainly making big bucks on this little gig!
The first song is Clive’s choice. He’s in the audience and won’t be allowed any input as in past years.

Elliott – “Open Arms”This is a good song for Elliott, but his voice sounded a bit rough to start. He kicks in, though and the performance is subdued but powerful. It was not his best, though, and certainly, he is nervous. He left the door open, that’s for sure.

Randy says Elliott “worked it out,” and Paula, who didn’t cry, said he did a great job. Simon says that Elliott is a bit stiff, and tells him that he needs to believe that he’ll be in the finals.

Katharine – “I Believe I Can Fly”As usual, Katharine oversings this one, and seems to be rushing it a bit. She definitely loses her timing too. Too many riffs, too many trills, but it wasn’t bad. She certainly looks amazing, and that will get her votes.

Randy isn’t terribly impressed and Paula tells her she looks beautiful. Simon points out that Katharine didn’t pick the song and said she kind of created a moment. Did she? I don’t think so.

Taylor – “Dancin’ in the Dark”No one has ever sung a Springsteen song on this show before, and Taylor takes full advantage. He totally nails it! He plays it all the way, too, even getting Paula up to dance with him.

Randy compliments him on having a good time and Paula laughs that she nearly lost her dress. Simon says it was okay. Taylor’s brother is in the audience shouting out to the Soul Patrol.

Round one goes to Taylor with Elliott second and Katharine third.

The second songs have been chosen by the judges.

Elliott - "What You Won’t Do For Love” (Paula’s choice)Paula says that she chose the song because Elliott is so full of love and soul and is a funky white boy. Elliott does a lot better on this one, but the band is too loud or something. He’s oversinging, but for him, it works. The song really works for him though.

Randy points out that he was sharp and says it wasn’t his best. Paula babbles on about how “this is the kind of artist you are,” and Simon says, “I actually thought you sang that pretty well.”

Katharine – “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” (Simon’s choice)Simon says that he knew from the first moment he saw her that this was the perfect song for her. Katharine is on the floor, bathed in light and starts out singing a cappella. Oh, I get it, she’s trying to create a “moment” here. Well guess what? Moments are made, they happen, and while this came close, it wasn’t spontaneous. She sounded fabulous, though. The problem I have with Katharine is that she seems too “beauty contestant” if that makes any sense.

Randy loved it and called it the best vocal of the season from her. Paula tells her to soak in the moment and tap into you spirit (or something). Simon, who is gloating because it was his choice, after all, says he is happy for her. He calls this the single best performance of the competition to date.

Taylor – “You Are So Beautiful” (Randy’s choice)Randy says he picked the song because it is one of the best songs of all times and he thinks that Taylor, with his old soul, will do it right. And he does. Taylor sings the hell out of this. He doesn’t go karaoke on us and sings it carefully, word by word. It works really, really well. Fabulous.

Randy says that Taylor did the song proud and Paula calls him a star. Simon says this is his best performance ever. Taylor is jubilant and “Soul Patrolling” all over the place.

Round two goes to Taylor with Katharine and Elliott in a dead heat for second.

The final song is one the contestants have chosen themselves.

Elliott – “I Believe to my Soul”Elliott gets his groove on with this one. The problem is that this is a song most people have never heard, and the effect is somewhat lost. Elliott sings it great, and I feel sad, because, unless Katharine falls on her face, I think this might just be it for Elliott. I liked it, didn’t love it, and that’s the problem.

Randy doesn’t believe it was the right song for him. Paula babbles some more about how nobody can sing songs like her little “funky white boy.” Simon says, “Your songs are not going to carry you through to next week, but no matter what happens, you’ve made your mum proud.” Sniff.

Katharine – “I Ain’t Got Nothing but the Blues”I like this one, actually. Katharine shows us some spunk and pizzazz, and sounds excellent. She seems a lot more relaxed and that helps a lot. I think she might just have beaten Elliott.

Randy "doesn't know," and Paula thinks she did a great job. Simon wishes that we could have reversed the order of the songs. I'll bet he does!

Taylor – “Try a Little Tenderness”Taylor wanted to sing this one the week that Andrea Bocelli was the guest, but the producers didn’t think it was classic love songy enough! So, Taylor put it away and pulled it out when it really counted. He does this song proud, and I would say just earned his ticket to the finale. This is the kind of song that Taylor does best, and picking it on this night was positively brilliant.

Randy has a new name for Taylor – “Have a Good Time Funky Taylor.” Paula says that she has been waiting all season for this one. Simon says this was a smart song choice. “I’ll see you next Tuesday,” he adds. Taylor “Soul Patrols” us out!

Third Round to Taylor with Katharine second and Elliott third.

Taylor deserves to be in the finals. The contest here is to determine who will join him. I want it to be Elliott, but tonight, Katharine did better. I think it will be extremely close, and it's probably stupid to predict, but in my heart, I think that Katharine will edge Elliott out and face Taylor for the title.

2006-05-15T17:53:00.000-07:00

May 14: Random Thoughts – The Taylor Phenomenon!

I’ve wasted yet another weekend, checking out all the message boards, and watching Taylor’s video clips from his visit to Birmingham on Friday. I keep watching the performance clips and am more convinced than ever that Taylor really has something special, and is destined to be a real force in the industry.

After having mulled all of this over in my head, I’ve written a piece for Foxes on Idol entitled “Why Taylor MUST Win." I realize that I will probably get a lot of flack from non-Taylor fans, but that’s okay. Sure, I am a journalist, but I am also a fan, and the only way that I can help Taylor is to write. This piece is the strongest endorsement I have ever written about an Idol contestant, and certainly crosses the line, but Idol Thoughts has always been an opinion piece, and this is my opinion.

Why Taylor? From the moment I saw his first audition, I knew that he had the potential to be a star. He came into that audition and put it out there for the judges. He told them that he wanted his voice to be heard, and to me, that’s what it’s all about. And now, all these months later, his voice has been heard, and he’s one step away from the final round. Watching him perform is like watching a musical magician. He makes the audience feel good, and that’s the greatest gift an artist can give.

What’s it going to take for Taylor to go all the way. First, he must have three of the best performances of his life this Tuesday. According to the Birmingham paper, Randy Jackson has chosen “You Are So Beautiful” for Taylor. This really is a gift and will allow Taylor to showcase his vocals and pour on the emotion. Although nothing is set in stone, Taylor has hinted that he’ll be singing “Try a Little Tenderness” as his own choice. This will also be outstanding in that the song starts out slow and builds to a intense crescendo. He should blow us away on this one. Clive’s choice is still not confirmed, but there has been a buzz that it’s “Walkin’ in Memphis.”

In order to win, we have to vote. That’s all there is to it. Vote for the entire two hours and don’t stop. Don’t split your vote to help other contestants and whatever you do, don’t think he is safe. No one is safe. Just ask Chris Daughtry. It’ll be worth it, trust me. It’s time to pull out all the stops and get him to the finale. All I can do is write (and vote), and that is what I intend to do. While this is not a Taylor fan site, I am a Taylor fan, and from now on, my job is to help make Taylor Hicks the next American Idol! Wooooooo… Soul Patrol.

2006-05-14T08:03:00.000-07:00

May 13: Random Thoughts – The Wildest Week Yet!

It’s been quite a week, hasn’t it. Idol fans are still reeling from Chris’ shocking elimination on Wednesday, and in his post-elimination interviews, Chris has stated that he was as shocked as the rest of us. I’m sure he was. When everyone is telling you that you’re headed for the finale, at some point, you’re going to start believing it. Who could blame him, after all? The thing is, Chris was good, and certainly should have made it through to the next round.

Don’t worry about Mr. Daughtry, though. He has already been offered a deal from Fuel (read my FOI story here), and there will most likely be more offers forthcoming. Hooking up with an established band would be a great move for him (ask JD Fortune who became the front man for INXS after winning Rock Star: INXS last summer). And Fuel really would be a good fit. The good thing is that he can’t sign anything yet, and will have some time to decompress before the tour kicks off in July.

Meanwhile, the remaining three have had their triumphant homecomings, and have learned the song that the judges have picked for them to sing this week. So far, we know that Paula Abdul has chosen Bobby Caldwell's "What You Won't Do For Love" for Elliott, and Randy has chosen Joe Cocker's “You Are So Beautiful” for Taylor. That’s the one I hoped he would do on classic love song week! Rumor has it that Taylor will also be singing “Try a Little Tenderness” as his personal choice. According to several sources, Simon has chosen "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" for Katharine.

Taylor had a great day in Birmingham and the local Fox affiliate covered the entire day on their website. Click here for some clips of Taylor and his band performing live. The band is solid with great keyboards, horns, and a kickin’ drummer, and Taylor finally has a chance to play his guitar.

I have to say that watching the various Taylor videos from Birmingham has really convinced me beyond a shadow of a doubt that Taylor Hicks truly deserves to be the next American Idol! Taylor is musical magic. I can't imagine seeing him live. This is going to be a hell of a ride!

2006-05-12T19:29:00.000-07:00

May 11: The Biggest Shocker Ever?

I’ll spare you the details. I assume if you’re reading this, you either saw the show, or have read about Chris’ elimination (Here's my RNO recap of the show). While I was as shocked as everyone else, I wasn’t totally surprised. This round has historically been one where favorites have been eliminated, and at the time, it has seemed like the biggest shocker in the history of the show. I will admit, however, that this will most likely be the most memorable simply because of the way it all played out.

From the start, it seemed, Chris was one of, if not the favorite to win the whole enchilada. Simon certainly believed it, and I think Chris was beginning to believe it himself. Not that he was cocky or arrogant – he really wasn’t – but he was very self-confident, and attacked each performance with a vengeance. He didn’t seem to think that he had any limitations, and I think he took one risk too many. Idol fans are a strange lot. They like an underdog, and Chris was decidedly not.

I also think that the obvious favoritism Simon showed Chris early on might have ended up biting him in the backside. People don’t like to be told who to vote for and resent it when Simon heaps praises on someone who might not be quite as deserving. Simon knows what sells and what does not, and I think he saw a cash cow in Chris. He acted the same way about Carrie, and he was right on the money. But when Chris began to slip a bit, Simon barked at him like an angry parent. I really could see the tide turning for Chris at that point, but I don’t think Chris realized what was happening.

Chris Daughtry is a very intense, focused performer. Some of his performances felt angry to me. Like it or not, Idol has always been about pop or some blend of pop. Chris didn’t fit the mold, and his appeal was just too narrow. In the end, I think that cost him the title.

I am sure that Chris and his fans will be reeling from this for a while. For him, it is a little dose of humility that might help him somewhere down the road. And I certainly think that Chris’ exposure on this show will lead to great things in his future. It may not seem so rosy right now, but someone, somewhere has a band that needs a singer. Chris will be fine, and might be better off having escaped the clutches of 19E and company. Still, it hurts, and will certainly have a huge impact on the outcome.

I think that this opens the door for Taylor to win. He can’t let up, nor can his fans stop voting. But it just might happen. More on this over the weekend. For now, let’s just mull all this over for a while!

2006-05-10T20:21:00.000-07:00

American Idol 5 - Top Four Results

I totally loved Elvis week, but am very, very nervous about the results. It's anyone's guess as to who will go home. No one is safe at this stage of the game. No one. Ryan opens the show looking quite dapper in black. He knows what is at stake here, that's for sure. Everyone looks nervous. Ryan intros our Idols and the judges, and gets in one more zinger to Paula.

We watch a clip of the Idols at Graceland, and then see recaps from the performance show. I listened to all the MP3s on Wednesday, and really, no one was bad. It was just that some were better than others, and at this stage of the game, no one can afford a misstep.

The Ford commercial is cute, and features a guest appearance by Kermit the Frog. After the break, we see the Idols at Graceland. Pricilla takes them on a tour of the house, and shows off all the memorabilia. There are rooms full of gold and platinum albums, outfits and other collectibles. Amazing. They end the tour at Elvis' grave, which is out back in a garden. Then, Lisa Marie takes them around the ground on a golf cart.

Next, the Idols sing an awesome medley of Elvis tunes and really pump up the audience. It is longer than most of the medleys, and each of them has a chance to lead off, while the others sing backup. I normally hate these group numbers, but this one was fun.

After the break, Ryan is in the audience with Rebecca Romijn and her fiancé, Jerry O’Connell. Apparently, she is a huge fan and says that she is nervous for them, and loves them all. But she has a special request, and asks if Taylor can do "Jailhouse Rock" again. What? An encore. By Taylor! This is unheard of! It seems unscripted, though, because Taylor is completely taken by surprise. But, of course he gets up and does it all over again. And, it’s better the second time around!

Taylor says, “Hi America,” and dances his way through the audience, stopping to dance with Elliott’s mother. The crowd is out of control. I notice Simon is standing with his back to the stage. What a jerk he is. Melissa Rivers is in the audience. Whoopee.

Taylor finishes up on the stage. Ryan tells him to step to his right, and the other three come out to join him. He tells Elliott to stand next to Taylor, and Chris and Katharine stand on Ryan’s left. He tells us that one group is the top two, and the other the bottom two. “Any ideas. Any guesses,” he asks. We go to break.

When we return, Ryan is pacing back and forth. He asks the audience what they think, and everyone is yelling names. He then tells Taylor and Elliott that they are safe. Simon looks stunned. Ryan asks him who should go and Simon says Katharine. The audience boos.
Ryan finally stops pacing. “A lot of people predicted that you would be the next American Idol,” he says to Chris. Then, he wields a blow that will reverberate in the annals of Idol history. Chris Daughtry is going home. I am truly stunned. I know I predicted this was possible, but I didn't really think it would happen. Not really.

Chris is utterly flabbergasted. I don't think this possibility had even crossed his mind. Paula is woeful, head in hands, and Simon has reached the boiling point. Chris watches his farewell video without registering a single emotion. Then, he sings us out with "Suspicious Minds." I thought for a second that he might refuse to sing.

The curse of the final four is alive and well! I don't think that there is anything that can stop Taylor now. But it won't be a cakewalk. The fight will be for that second spot, and there is absolutely no way to predict how this is going to play out. Next week, they sing three songs - one picked by the judges, one they choose themselves, and one pick from Big Daddy Clive Davis. The songs will tell the story, and we'll all be there watching. No matter what!!!

2006-05-09T19:00:00.000-07:00

The Top Four Sing the King

It’s the much-anticipated Elvis week, and I am expecting great things from the four remaining Idols this time around. Here’s how it went down:

Taylor Hicks – “Jailhouse Rock” and “In the Ghetto”
Taylor opened the show, wearing a red shiny pinstripe suit, dancing through the audience and capturing the spirit of this song. What was cool was that the guitar player was up jiving with Taylor and the whole effect was just plain fun. It really was “classic” Taylor Hicks. Why wouldn’t he sing this one? Randy recognized that Taylor was in his element, and Paula said it was phenomenal. Simon hated it and called it karaoke with a capital “K.”

Taylor’s second number was special indeed. He started out sitting on the stage, and sang straight into the camera. It was intense. He really felt the lyrics, and for a moment, it looked as though he were about to burst into tears. I know I did! This was certainly one of Taylor’s best performances in the competition. Randy said it was the “right key, right song” and that this was “the kind of record you’re going to make.” Paula called him well-rounded, and surprise of all surprises, Simon said, “What you have just done is sung you way into the semi-finals!”

Chris Daughtry – “Suspicious Minds” and “A Little Less Conversation”
I have to say that Chris’ first song was excellent. He went a little flat in the middle, but overall, it was the perfect vehicle for his vibrato and it sounded really fresh. Randy wasn’t quite as sold, but Paula said, “See you in the finals.” We’ll see about that. Simon said, “Sunglasses aside, that worked.”

“A Little Less Conversation” didn’t work quite as well. Despite his “Bo Bice” mic stand antics, the song started out rather bland and boring. He put too much emphasis on the individual words or something. I did like the tone of his voice, though, and he ended it quite well. Randy liked that he kept it in a lower key and Paula still adores him (Chris that is). Simon surprised me. He liked the first song better and said it was a bit flat. Wow. Criticism of Chris and compliments to Taylor. What’s up with that?

Elliott Yamin – “If I Can Dream” and “Trouble”
This was Elliott’s night. “If I Can Dream” was heartfelt and powerful at the same time. Elliott was wide open and everything just poured from his soul. It was a stunning performance. Randy called it hot, and Paula said it was his best performance of the season. Simon mentioned that Elliott came in as an underdog and praised him for choosing a song that most people didn’t know and singing it so well. “Best performance so far,” he said.

“Trouble” was very bluesy and just perfect for the aura that has descended over Elliott. It was a real performance. I was impressed that the band had so much fun while he was singing it too. It was sassy and fun, but vocally, he nailed it. Randy called this Elliott’s best performance ever, and Paula agreed. Simon said, “You deserve to go through to the next round.” Indeed he does.

Katharine McPhee – “Hound Dog/All Shook Up” and “I Can’t Help Falling in Love With You”
Katharine had a rough night. Her first song was just too ambitious. She had fun with it, but it never quite worked. Plus, she lost a lyric, and while she tried to cover it up by spinning around, it was the drop heard round the world. No one can afford to lose a line at this point. Randy and Paula noticed and commented, and Katharine just laughed. Simon said it reminded him of a desperate, manic audition.

Her second song should have worked, but the arrangement was overpowering and she was forced to over sing it. I thought she started out beautifully, but it got too big in the middle and she never came back down to earth. It was too diva, too Broadway, and too bad. Randy liked it better than her first. Paula didn’t really know what to say, and Simon noted that it hadn’t been one of her better nights. He also said that it was just too much.

Hands down, Elliott won the night. Both of his songs were dead on, and he absolutely deserves to go through to the next round. Taylor was a close second. I loved both of his numbers, and “In the Ghetto” really moved me. I liked Chris’ “Suspicious Minds,” but thought the second song was dullsville. Katharine was nowhere close, and I predict that she will be leaving us this week. I could be wrong, but I hope not. Elliott must be in the top three and Taylor has also earned his place. Chris will probably be there by default. We’ll see.

2006-05-07T14:00:00.000-07:00

May 7: Random Thoughts

I know that I am totally consumed by Idol when I spend most of a weekend hunting for news and reading message boards and comment threads. This weekend I hit an all-time low! I had heard that the Idols would be arriving at Graceland on Saturday afternoon, and immediately rushed to the Graceland cam on Elvis.com, refreshing the page constantly in an attempt to catch a glimpse of their arrival. Ridiculous. At the same time, I was haunting the official Idol message board and Gray Charles where someone had promised photos. Eventually, I found the pictures on the Elvis site, and someone posted a cam shot that appeared to depict their arrival. My head ached and my fingers were numb, but I felt satisfied.

On Sunday, I got up and immediately hit the computer. I had my Foxes on Idol column to do, and was determined to get it done before I even started in on my obsessive surfing. I met with only minimal success. I discovered a story about Kellie Pickler's homecoming and was somewhat amazed to learn that, despite having be denied permission to sing the National Anthem, she did it anyway saying, "I'm going to get in so much trouble for this,but what are they going to do -- kick me off the show?" Duh! No, they won't kick you off the tour, but they could fine you for breach of contract. You know, that little piece of paper that you signed where you agreed not to sing anywhere unless you had permission.

I started up a thread on the Idol board, trying to gauge how people felt about this. Was I completely off-base in thinking that this was a serious blunder? Or, was this just further indication that Kellie is a ditz, and doesn't think before she acts. Some people agreed that this was not a brilliant move, while others figured it was just Kellie being Kellie. I suspect that she will get her hand slapped, and life will go on.

Meanwhile, some 40 miles away, Bucky Covington's hometown was celebrating his return. Bucky's twin, Rocky sang with their band, but although Bucky was on the stage, he didn't sing. I had this fleeting fantasy that maybe they switched places and it really was Bucky up there singing. Who would know?

I am excited about this week's show. Really excited. I don't think I've been this excited about a final four since season two. This really is anyone's game, and I suspect that they will all be awesome with the Elvis theme. I am also expecting a shocker this week. I can feel it in my bones. Tuesday can't get here soon enough!

2006-05-05T18:51:00.000-07:00

May 6: The Curse of the Final Four

I just finished writing my weekly “This Week in Idol History” column for Foxes on Idol. I love doing it, and spend an inordinate amount of time researching various seasons and then putting together a “where are they now” for those who were eliminated this week on each previous season. With four seasons complete, this column now takes a lot more time than I have available, but I do it anyway! Go figure.

I won’t give away all the details (you’ll have to read it for yourself when it is posted on Monday), but I did want to mull over some of the things that struck me as I was researching for the article. One thing is certain, in the final four, anything can, and sometimes has happened. Two very strong finalists were knocked out in this round, and during season three, that elimination really changed the momentum of the competition. Despite all the manufactured hoopla, Fantasia really won the competition once LaToya was eliminated.

The same thing happened in season one. Once Tamyra was eliminated, it was Kelly’s to lose. Justin put up a good fight, but the clincher was the “special” Idol song, “A Moment Like This,” that seemed to have been written for Kelly to sing. Justin’s version just didn’t pack the same wallop.

By this time last year, it was pretty apparent that Bo and Carrie would be the final two. Vonzell and Anthony had improved immensely over the course of the competition, but neither presented a real challenge to the two frontrunners. Seeing them go was tough, but they did well to get as far as they did.

Season two was different. Clay and Ruben looked like a safe bet for the top 2, but Kimberley Locke was in it to win it, and really came on strong in the final weeks. Josh Gracin wasn’t close. His elimination was overdue, and it would have been a shocker if he hadn’t gone. Kimberley came close, and I think she peaked a little too late. Given another week, she might have made it to the top two.

This year is shaping up to be similar to season two. Chris has been favored almost from the beginning, and Taylor, this year’s “unlikely Idol,” has an immense fanbase that is eerily reminiscent of the Claymates. Simon is predicting a Chris/Taylor finale, and it would seem this is fairly likely. But, like Kimberley Locke in season two, Katharine is not going to go out easily. What makes this year unique, however, is Elliott. He’s the second “Kimberley Locke” – the underdog that won’t give up. And, unlike K’Lo, Elliott did not peak too early, and every week he seems to get a little bit better. Either one of these two could present a strong challenge to Chris and/or Taylor. If nothing else, the odds are 50/50 that we’ll have the first all male top three in Idol history! One more for the records books!

2006-05-02T18:43:00.000-07:00

Top 5 Performances - An Eclectic Evening!

I'm watching the show tonight with an eye on how the judges react to certain contestants. I've gotten a ton of email this week about their (Simon especially) obvious "pimpage" of Chris Daughtry. A lot of people think that he is the pick to win and the judges will say anything they can to ensure this outcome. So, let's just see.

Elliot Yamin - "On Broadway" by George Benson and "Home" by Micheal Buble

Elliott's first song was skilled, smooth, and savvy. He's really learned how to work the stage and connect with the audience. Great performance. The lyrics to "Home" were ironic (I thought that before Simon said it). I was moved by this performance and it was obvious he was singing it from his heart and soul. Again, I loved it, and I officially love Elliott. I totally disagreed with Simon, and thought it was clear that he wasn't going to like Elliott no matter what he did. I thought his little gaffe (he went over to the stools rather than to the spot of judgment and then had to race back across the stage) was kind of "real." The heat is definitely on, that's for sure.

Paris Bennett - "Kiss" by Prince (Tom Jones in 1988) and "Be Without You" by Mary J. Blige

"Kiss" was fun, funky, and fresh. I love the way Paris works the stage and am impressed by her dance moves. She breathed new life into this somewhat tired tune, and I thought she got it just right. I totally disagreed with Simon's assessment that she was screechy. No way. Paris' second song was contemporary and fun. I thought she sounded a lot like Beyonce on this one and didn't hear Mary J. at all. Paris also had a bit of Fantasia's vibe. I liked it. Simon got this one right, but I was annoyed that the sound just happened to mess up while she was singing.

Chris Daughtry - "Renegade" by Styx and "I Dare You" by Shinedown

"Renegade" started out pitchy, and felt very angry. Chris' vibrato annoyed me and and this performance was not fun to watch. I did not agree with Paula that Chris was "far apart" from the others, and definitely did not think Chris was "a million times better" as Simon said. For his second song, Chris got the full blazing fire background. It's a good thing, because his vocals were a mess. Simon called Paris screechy and screamy? Hmmm. Chris is about to blow out his vocal chords, and Simon was kind enough to point this out, but I figure he's just trying to protect his investment. Chris won't be able to make Simon any money if he can't sing!

Katharine McPhee - "Against All Odds" by Phil Collins and "Black Horse and Cherry Tree" by KT Tunstall

Katharine started off very pitchy and never quite got it right. To be fair, it was a strange arrangement, and seemed to be in the wrong key or something. I kept hearing Scott Savol's version of this song in my head, which is not a good thing because Scott was voted off this round. I agreed with Simon, who at first said it was one of her better performances. He quickly corrected himself, though, as it was decidely not. Her second song was much, much better. She started off on the floor, which I found a bit much, but got into a nice groove with the two box drummers. She displayed a whole different side, and I loved the tone of her voice. Good job, and should save her.

Taylor Hicks - "Play that Funky Music" by Wild Cherry and "Something" by the Beatles

Taylor is definitely a funky white boy! I got up and danced right along with him. The performance was a bit manic, but he was fun to watch, and the song was a perfect choice for him. I had fun, the audience had fun, and screw Simon whose "horrible wedding singer" comments are wearing thin. We know you don't like him, Simon, so what's your point? "Something" was a strange choice but I liked what he did with it. It definitely was not karaoke. Taylor does have a great voice (thanks for noticing Simon - did you read my latest article?) and this song really showed it off. Might be the best of the night!

This is a tough one. I really liked both of Paris and Elliott's performances. I loved Taylor's "Funky Music," and "Something" was special. Katharine's second song was fun, but she totally blew "Against All Odds." I didn't like either of Chris' songs, but he didn't do badly on the first one. The second one? Meh. Who will go home. Everyone in Idoldom is predicting Paris to go this week, but I am thinking maybe it will be Elliott. They would be my bottom two. It's too close to call.

If you liked what you heard, and want to hear the songs again, click here for a neat little Idol Top 5 MP3 player! It's awesome.

By the way, did you hear Kelly Clarkson on the Ford commercial (it was hard to miss, they ran two different versions of it during the show). She's so good, isn't she!

2006-04-29T14:01:00.000-07:00

April 29: Mid-Week Blues!

Well, here we are again, mid-week (Idol week that is). I usually try to get a little work done over the weekend, but find myself constantly surfing for tidbits of information and maybe even some spoilers as to what songs the Idols will be singing this week.

This afternoon I went out for a little jog and popped Taylor Hicks’ Under the Radar CD into my CD player. I love the sound of his voice, and these tunes are hot. Taylor wrote all seven songs on the CD and it’s definitely worth buying. That reminds me that I really need to do a review on this one.

Listening to Taylor makes me even more convinced that he should win this thing. He sounds great doing covers, but the magic of his original material is hard to deny. I don’t think that a good producer would have any problem at all creating a Taylor Hicks’ CD that would be marketable. Simon seems to be having a problem with this, but when you consider how big Taylor’s fanbase is, he shouldn’t be worrying. He needs to lighten up.

The Vote for the Worst website has chosen Taylor as their next target. Before you freak out, you need to understand their reasoning. Basically, what they are saying is that they are supporting him because Simon does not! I quote from the site: “Simon wants Taylor out now, because he can't stand to promote someone so unmarketable. So what do we say? Stick it to the show and vote for Taylor! He has the Soul Patrol, and now he has us, the A-hole Patrol! Hopefully we can work together to help Taylor win this thing!” See, they don’t hate Taylor. They want him to win! Hey, every vote counts, right!

2006-04-27T19:25:00.000-07:00

This Week's "Theme"

In case you were wondering, next week, the five remaining contestants will sing two songs; one from the year they were born and the other from this week's Billboard Top 10 chart. I don't know if that means they can pick any of the charts of just the Hot 100, but here's the top ten from that one!

1. "Bad Day," Daniel Powter
2. "Temperature," Sean Paul
3. "What You Know," T.I.
4. "Ridin'," Chamillionaire Featuring Krayzie Bone
5. "Unwritten," Natasha Bedingfield
6. "Control Myself," LL Cool J Featuring Jennifer Lopez
7. "Lean Wit It, Rock Wit It," Dem Franchize Boyz Featuring Lil Peanut & Charlay
8. "You're Beautiful," James Blunt
9. "Ms. New Booty," Bubba Sparxxx Featuring Ying Yang Twins & Mr. ColliPark
10. "Dani California," Red Hot Chili Peppers

Doesn't sound too promising, does it!

Here's the Adult Top 40:

1. "Bad Day," Daniel Powter
2. "Unwritten," Natasha Bedingfield
3. "You're Beautiful," James Blunt 2
4. "Walk Away," Kelly Clarkson
5. "Ever The Same," Rob Thomas
6. "Who Says You Can't Go Home," Bon Jovi
7. "Over My Head (Cable Car)," The Fray
8. "Savin' Me," Nickelback
9. "Black Horse & The Cherry Tree," KT Tunstall
10. "Right Here," Staind

Taylor could sing "You're Beautiful," and Staind would work for Chris. How about "Ever the Same" for Elliott and "Unwritten" for Katharine (although that one sank Ayla Brown). How about "Control Myself" for Paris? No one should sing Kelly Clarkson, and they should all stay away from "Bad Day!!!" One thing for sure. Idol has really gotten Daniel Powter's career off to a great start!

2006-04-26T20:05:00.000-07:00

Kellie Pickler - Gone But Not Forgotten!

I went way overboard on the Kellie-bashing on my Reality News Online recap of the results show because I figured that she would certainly manage to skate by another week. Imagine my amazement when she was the one eliminated. I almost changed my opening diatribe, but I like to keep it real, and write the opinion part of my recap before the show airs.

Now, I don’t dislike Kellie personally; I’m sure she’s a great girl. I try to be fair when it comes to assessing the performances, and stay away from bashing people personally. I don’t know them and certainly don’t have any right to criticize someone’s personality or anything else. What I can do is comment on their performances, and that is called being a critic.

I am usually a lot kinder than most, but they’d better get used to hearing not so nice things written about them. The music world is full of big, bad critics, many of whom will hate everything that they do. But I digress. My point is that Kellie never should have lasted this long, and the fact that the voters finally got it right is very gratifying to me.

With Kellie gone, we have the best top five in the Idol history. The playing field is finally level, and it’s anyone’s game to win. Elliott is coming on strong and could be a real spoiler. Remember Kimberley Locke? She nearly beat out Ruben for the top two. It’s fun to watch someone come from behind in a race, and I am really looking forward to seeing how this all shakes out. Katharine’s no joke either. Taylor had better watch his butt because these two are coming after him. Chris is another one who needs to choose his songs with care and try to hold a middle ground. He can’t alienate the rockers but needs to stay a little closer to the mainstream. Paris has to grit her teeth and go for broke every week. She’s got the chops, and if she can pick the right songs, she’s not going to go easily. I am totally psyched. This is an Idolheads dream!

2006-04-25T19:27:00.000-07:00

April 25: Love is in the Air!

Well now... I was expecting better tonight, but I don't think that they were as bad as the judges did, at least not all of them. David Foster wasn't playing with these kids, that's for sure. I was glad that someone finally came on the show and told them what's up. Here's how I saw it.

Katherine - "I Have Nothing"
I agree that this was way too ambitious a song for her, but I don't think she was all that bad. She hit some flat notes, sure, but overall, I think she did rather nicely. Katharine looked great, but had a minor wardrobe malfunction when one of the buttons on her dressed popped open. I was somewhat taken aback by the judges' comments following her performance. It was as though they weren't going to like it no matter what she did. Hmmmm.

Elliott - "A Song For You"
This was Elliott's best performance to date, and that's saying a lot considering that I don't think he's had one bad one. It was an excellent song choice, and gave him a chance to really emote. I agree, though, that the arrangement was too fussy. He could have done just fine on his own. Elliott was the best of the night for me, that's for sure. He keeps getting a little bit better each week too, which is what this is all about. I don't want him eliminated yet, that's for sure. Paula's hysterionics were interesting, weren't they! Actually, I kinda felt her tonight. Yeah, I had tears in my eyes when he finished too. He's this year's "every man," you know! I really like Elliott.

Kellie - "Unchained Melody"
That was just plain boring. Sorry. Kellie really did sound robotic, and had absolutely no passion whatsoever. She was sharp; she was flat. It was not good. I agree with Paula that Kellie needs to raise the bar, although she keeps skating through somehow. This makes two in a row that were not worthy of this stage of the competition, and I am thinking that maybe, just maybe, she'll finally get the boot. If not, she's fast on the road to becoming this year's official "Nikki McKibbon."

Paris - "The Way We Were"
Paris sang this very well, but the song just wasn't right for her. I liked the way she changed it up, but it didn't feel natural. She was working too hard or something. I am afraid that Paris might be in trouble this week. I hate to see her eliminated while Kellie remains, but I will not be surprised.

Taylor - "Just Once"
Taylor seemed very nervous, and hit a lot of the notes flat. He didn't seem to be into the song, although he ended it very well. I really wanted to like it but wasn't wowed. He so needed a "moment" this week, and could have really done it this week with any number of songs. I was disappointed, actually. Sorry Taylor. But he'll be back, count on it!

Chris - "Have You Ever Loved A Woman"
Chris chose the right song at the right time in the competition. It didn't hurt him that he had the two guitar players onstage with him, and Paula gyrating wildly in her seat. Still, I can't deny the man his due. He was on it. This was a nice combination of his two sides (soft and rocker), and I was feelin' the song. He sang it with all the emotion of a man who knows just what he's talking about. It wasn't a "moment," but it was sure close.

So, what have we got. I liked Elliott the best tonight, followed by Chris and Taylor. Katharine, Paris and Kellie are my bottom three, with Kellie going home. That's the way it should be. But don't be surprised to see Taylor make his first trip to the bottom three this week. It's time. He'll be the first one sent back to the couches, though, and it will be Paris who will "have a bad day." That's my gut feeling, anyway.

By the way, the Idol Tour dates are posted. No return trip to Syracuse this year, and they are not doing any Canadian dates either.

2006-04-24T19:16:00.000-07:00

April 25: Idols Meet Bocelli

Andrea Bocelli is set to coach the kids this week, and will be performing on Wednesday's results show. I thought it might be nice to learn a little bit about this incredible artist before the show. I have to admit, I really didn't know that much about him, and figured I'd share what I've learned with you!

Andrea Bocelli was born on September 22, 1958 in Lajatico, Tuscany, Italy, and grew up on his family’s farm and vineyard. He was born with a condition known as congenital glaucoma and lost his sight at the age of 12 when he suffered a brain hemorrhage after being hit on the head while playing soccer.

Andrea showed an interest in music at a very young age, and began playing piano at the age of six. He also played flute and saxophone, and played the organ at church. When he was 12, he entered and won his first music competition.

Andrea set music aside, however, and studied law at the University of Pisa, working for a year as a public defender. But he found that he was still drawn to music, and ultimately, approached Franco Corelli, a world-renown tenor, for voice lessons. Corelli took him on, and Andrea earned the money to pay for these lessons by playing piano in local clubs.

In 1992 Italian rock legend Zucchero was looking for a tenor to duet with him on “Miserere," a song that he co-wrote with U2's Bono. Zucchero wanted Luciano Pavarotti, but Andrea made a demo, and when Zucchero sent it to Pavoratti, he urged Zucchero to use the newcomer. In the end, Pavarotti did the recording, but Zucchero invited Andrea to sing the song with him when he went on tour, and Andrea Bocelli's career was launched.

In 1993 Andrea signed with Inseieme/Sugar after the label's president, Caterina Caselli, heard him sing "Miserere" at Zucchero's birthday party. In 1994, Andrea won the prestigious Italian Sanremo Music Festival. His debut album followed shortly thereafter, and quickly went platinum.

In 1994 made his stage debut as Macduff in Giuseppe Verdi's Macbeth. He also sang at Pavarotti's benefit concert in Modena, and performed for Pope John Paul II on Christmas Eve.

Andrea Bocelli’s made his U.S. debut in 1998 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC. He also performed at a White House reception, and kicked off his North American tour. But it was his duet with Céline Dion on “The Prayer” from her album These Are Special Times that really brought him to the attention of the American public. As a result, he was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1999.

Since then, Andrea has continued his career, appearing in concert all over the world, releasing 18 albums, including his most recent, Andrea Bocelli – Amore, which is currently #23 on the Billboard 200. This year, he performed during the NBA's All-Star Weekend in Houston, and sang "Because We Believe” at the closing ceremony of the 2006 Winter Olympics.

2006-04-24T17:15:00.000-07:00

April 22: Idol Odds and Ends

We're in that netherland - the period between shows where there's nothing much new to talk about, but still, we search for little news items and other tidbits of information about the show! It's amazing how much press American Idol generates on any given week. If you Google "American Idol" you'll find a plethora (don't you love that word!) of articles ranging from serious pieces about betting odds to the straight-out ridiculous.

One story that has generated quite a buzz this week is one that originated on the New York Post's infamous "Page 6." The story has since been verified by MTV. You may have heard about it by now, but apparently Bo Bice was in some kind of a scuffle last weekend with former New York Giant star Glenn Parker. According to the Post, Parker approached Bo and asked if he were Bo Bice. Bo denied it and Parker stepped away. Then Parker approached Bo again and said something that didn't set well with Bo. A fight ensued, and Bo is said to have taken a punch at Parker.

Now, Bo weighs about 150 pounds and Parker has to go close to 300 pounds. Doesn't make much sense to challenge someone like that for no reason. Fans have been waiting for some statement from Bo's camp to clarify this, and I have learned that the People magazine is addressing this issue in their May 1 issue. Here's how it reads:

When a patron at O’Briens’s Bar & Grill in Manhattan called Bo Bice an American Idol wimp - the word was actually stronger than wimp - on April 16, pushing and fisticuffs followed. The patron, says one witness, was a “huge, burly guy in a suit and tie….and Bo took a swing at him.” A rep for Bice, 30, says, “Bo was minding his own business…This guy came up to him, said something rude and threw a punch. Bo was just defending himself.” Police were not involved.

Bo has also posted a photo on his website, www.bobice.com, showing him wearing a tee shirt that reads "I'm a lover, not a figher." I guess that's that, eh? When I heard this story, I figured Parker had to be doing more than just saying "Howdy." Bo's only human, and certainly deserves a little down time now and then. I'm just glad he didn't get hurt!

According to Access Hollywood, Taylor Hicks was coached as to which group to pick during the results night on Wednesday. People who were at the show say that Executive Producer, Nigel Lythgoe, told Taylor to go to Chris and shake his hand and then go to the other group. Apparently, though, Nigel is not told who is being eliminated, but does know which group in the bottom three. This, of course, would make his comments on Ryan's radio show each Wednesday morning somewhat meaningless. Come on now. Of course he knows who is being eliminated. I don't believe that for a minute!

MTV has a great interview with Ace Young. In it, he talks about his relationship with his brother Ryan, who has been a faithful attendee at each week's show. Ace told MTV that when Ryan was 20, he broke his back in six places. He was bedridden, and according to Ace, had to learn to walk again. Ace continued, saying, "So every day for a year when I was in high school, I would come home for lunch and sit next to his bed and talk. He learned how to walk again and dunk a basketball again. And he's my big support staff. When I moved out to California, he came with me. He sings too. The whole family does. We sing Christmas carols on Christmas Eve, and then I make him go to the hospital with me on Christmas Day and we sing from room to room." Awwww.

2006-04-22T08:22:00.000-07:00

Whatever Happened to... Trenyce?

Trenyce, who finished fifth on American Idol 2, seemed to be on the right track early on when she landed a starring role in E. Lynn Harris' play Not a Day Goes By. But then this powerful singer seemed to vanish from the face of the earth. Where did she go? You may be surprised to learn that Trenyce has found an entirely new audience in Russia! That's right. Trenyce landed a job as a backup singer for '90s artist Wanda Dee who was touring with The KLF in Russia. Dee recognized Trenyce's talent, and gave her a slot of her own in the show.

But that's not all. Trenyce will be featured as Deena Jones in the Indianapolis production of the musical Dreamgirls, which opens in mid-June and will run for six weeks. Trenyce is also working on her first album and has recorded a song with Ruben Studdard. According to one report, Dionne Warwick is interested in Trenyce, and has been talking her up to Clive Davis.

2006-04-21T19:15:00.000-07:00

April 19: Results Show - No Shockers Here

After what was arguably the best performance show of the season, this week's results show was somewhat anti-climactic. I mean we pretty much knew Ace was going home, right?

Ace probably did as well as he could under the circumstances. There is a lot we don't know about what goes on behind the scenes, and certainly, his being in the bottom three for so many weeks in a row had to be working on him. He seemed to be expecting to be eliminated every week, so that this week, he was almost relieved. It has to be hard when everyone expects you to be gone!

I suppose seeing Chris in the bottom two might be considered shocking, especially considering how highly touted he was coming into the competition. I figure that either his fans figured he was safe and didn't bother to vote, or that people who dig him doing rock, were bothered by his low-keyed rendition of "What a Wonderful World." I thought he did a great job with it, but understand that people may have felt that he compromised. What's a rocker to do?

I was irritated that they did the old "split them into two groups of three and make the 'good guy' chose" routine. That's really getting old. I was rooting for Taylor to do what Bo did - refuse to pick sides, and was somewhat surprised that he went along with it. But it's a joke, really, and I hope that they put this one away for the future. It was never funny, and now it's just predictable.

I was talking to a friend of mine after the results show, and she told me that she'd missed the performance show this week and last. She said she's just getting bored with Idol and isn't really "into" any of the remaining contestants. I wonder if this might be indicative of the public in general. How long can this show go on and maintain the same level of excitement. They need to get some new blood in there to liven things up a little bit. Otherwise, I think the show is going to start to slip and I'd hate to see it go out like that.

I do think that the level of excitement will increase from hereon in. This group really is good, and the results shows are going to be brutal. Next week, the odds are that someone really likeable is going to be eliminated, and I hate that. Classic love songs should give everyone a decent selection, and it could be just as good as this week. Andrea Bocelli is amazing, and it will be worth tuning in just to see him (and hear him sing). I'm still on this bus, that's for sure, and am in it until the bitter end.

2006-04-19T19:53:00.000-07:00

April 16: You Know You’ve Got it Made When…

Saturday night I was doing some work (I know, I’m a loser), and flipped the channel to MadTV, mostly for background noise. The show opened with a parody of Bo Bice, singing songs from his “new” CD, Bo, Bice, and Blue! Ike Barinholtz did the honors, and is obviously familiar with Bo and his idiosyncrasies. From the long hair to the fringed jacket, they really got it right! Here's a clip from the show's home page.

When MadTV ended, I flipped over to Saturday Night Live just in time to catch “Taylor Hicks” on Weekend Update. I had to look twice to make sure it wasn't the real Taylor; that's how good it was! Jason Sudeikis had Taylor's quirky twists and turns down perfectly, and the skit was obviously written by someone who is a fan! He even got in several shoutouts to the Soul Patrol!

SNL may just be a shell of its former self, but it still speaks to what’s happening in today’s pop culture. And there’s no denying that Taylor Hicks is hot! Wooooo, Soul Patrol! Click here for the clip.

2006-04-16T09:25:00.000-07:00

Idols in the News

With so many former Idols running around, it’s become very difficult to keep up with them all. Here’s some news about some of your favorite Idols past and present.

Kimberley Locke has just signed another deal with Lane Bryant, and will be representing the chain's upcoming spring campaign. Kimberley will be making appearance at LB stores across the county starting in May.

Check out Kimberley's upcoming single, "Supawoman," at her My Space site. It's really good, and should put her on the charts once again. Kimberley will be singing the National Anthem for the Pittsburgh Pirates' opening game on April 10.

Congratulations to Carrie Underwood whose debut album, Some Hearts, has just been certified triple platinum, making this the fastest certification ever for a debut album by a female country artist.

On April 5, Carrie took home a Gospel Music Association (Dove) award for Country Recorded Song of the Year for "Jesus Take the Wheel." The awards ceremony, which took place on April 5, will be televised starting April 15.

Carrie will be appearing as a special guest on Kenny Chesney's Road & The Radio" tour running from June 1 through Labor Day. And, Carrie has just been added as a solo to the lineup for this summer's New York State Fair in Syracuse. She'll be appearing on Monday, August 27. Tickets go on sale May 5.

It doesn't appear that Mandisa is going to have a problem finding work once her commitment to Idol is over. On Friday, she told both Access Hollywood and ET that Steven Spielberg has contacted Fox and told them that she has a face made for film! Does this mean we will be seeing her in an upcoming Spielberg film? Sounds promising. You go girl!

Lisa Tucker has already gotten herself a job as a result of appearing on Idol. In a press release today, Fox announced that Lisa will be appearing on an upcoming episode of The OC! The show will air on April 27. Good for her!

Diana DeGarmo will be appearing in Brooklyn: The Musical this summer at the American Musical Theatre of San Jose. The musical, which is described as an urban fairy tale about a young girl searching for fame, will run this summer from August 9-13.

Season 4's Nadia Turner is in L.A. working on her first film, A Taste of Us. Nadia has a key role in the film, which is described as "an urban romantic Comedy about two young misfits who help a recently widowed elderly Baptist preacher regain his church after members of his congregation are convinced he's planning on eloping with a woman forty-five years his junior."

Fantasia's life will be the subject of an upcoming Lifetime movie. According to several sources, the movie is based on her memoir, Life is Not a Fairy Tale, and will air in July. Fantasia is expected to play herself in the movie.

Nikko Smith, AI4's smooth R&B crooner, has formed his own record label (the N Music Group), and is finishing up his debut album, tentatively titled Got to Getcha. The album will be released by the end of the summer. Nikko is working with several new artists, including rapper D-Miles, singer/songwriter Kane and R&B singer Alanna. He tells MTV that he started the label so he could be his own boss. Good for you, Nikko!

Mario Vasquez, whose abrupt departure from AI4 stunned viewers, has resurfaced. His new single, "Gallery," was shipped to radio stations this week. The single, which was produced by Clive Davis' J Records, was released in two versions — one in English and another in Spanish.

Mario's album is still in production and scheduled for release in the fall. Mario signed with J Records in August 2005.

Last week, Ruben Studdard announced that he is heading up an after-school program, called "The Music Alternative Project" in Birmingham. The goal of the program is to help keep young people away from gangs by getting them involved in various aspects of the music industry.

The program, which will involve approximately 100 student, will expose participants in song-writing, marketing, accounting and mixing. The program will run on weekends and after school, and also during the summer.

2006-04-16T09:20:00.000-07:00

April 14: Bucky Bites the Dust and Other Ramblings!

I am not going to belabor this week's results show. If you want to read my review, you can read it on Reality News Online. I'd rather just chat a bit about the show and how I felt about it.

First, I need to aplogize to Ace, just in case he should happen to stop by (as if!). In my review of the performance show, I took him to task for being difficult with Brian May and the guys from Queen over the arrangement of "We Will Rock You." Well, apparently Brian May was bombarded with emails and has put up a response to all of this flap on his website.

Brian May forbids anyone copying his blog, but basically, he said that they all really liked Ace, and they had no problem at all with what he did with their song. Idol edited the bytes to make it seem as though they were not happy with Ace, but that was not the case. Read the entire blog for yourself. I'm impressed.

I have read a variety of reviews of this week's results show. Some people hated it, while others enjoyed the sentimental clips and visits with the families. I liked it, actually. Part of the reason we all get so hooked on this show is that we feel as though we "know" these people. A little background information adds to these feeling of familiarity, and makes them seem a bit more real.

I will be the first to admit that Bucky was the logical choice for elimination this week. He rather overstayed his welcome, and the fact that he outlasted Mandisa, and even Lisa Tucker, still bothers me. I started out resenting him a bit, actually, because I thought his spot should have gone to Gedeon. But, even though Bucky was not the greatest singer in the lot, he really is a likeable guy, and seems to be as genuine as anyone can be.

Unlike Ace who has been an utter wreck for the past few weeks, Bucky was able to get out there, have a good time, and let the chips fall where they may. The fact that he got as far as he did has to be gratifying for him and this experience will change his life and the lives of his family forever. Bucky will get to tour and make more money than he's ever seen in his life. He'll be on the Idol CD (if they do one) too. And you know, this is what this show is supposed to be all about... taking someone right off the farm (or the lumber mill, or wherever), and making them a household name. It's amazing, really.

What's interesting is that Bucky's elimination coincided with breaking news that he'd had a bit of a legal skirmish a few year ago. Court TV is reporting that back in February 1998, Bucky's twin Rocky was involved in a minor car accident (not his fault). The problem was that Rocky's license had been suspended for speeding, driving while drinking, and driving with a revoked license. Because damage in the accident exceeded NC's $500 liability limit, the police were called to the scene. The twin's father, Gene, was afraid that Rocky might end up in jail so he convinced Bucky, whose license was legit, to step in and say that he was the one who had been driving. When the police officer arrived at the scene, Bucky said he'd been driving and everything seemed to be in order.

It worked fine until the driver of the other vehicle, a 16-year old named Ryan Roller got home and confessed the whole story to his father, who was angry. He called Gene Covington, and demanded that he pay for the damage. Gene refused, and then added insult to injury by saying he was going to file a claim against the Roller's insurance company. Roller's father called the police and reported the switcheroo, and an arrest warrant was issued for Bucky, who was charged with resisting a public officer and giving fictitious information to a public officer. Ultimately, the twins were both tried and when Ryan Roller couldn't pick out the twin he had hit, all the charges were dismissed! And that's all there is to it.

I suspect that this will be Ace's last week. He seems to have totally lost his self-confidence, and his elimination will be hard to watch. But I just don't see how he can last much longer. Watch for a new Chartwatch on Monday and an Idol Thoughts on Tuesday. Have a great weekend!

2006-04-11T19:21:00.000-07:00

Idols vs. Queen!

Alrighty then... the Idols took on Queen this week, a somewhat surprising turn of events considering the pap that contestants on previous seasons have had to endure. If you were wondering why a venerable rock band like Queen would lend their assistance to American Idol though, wonder no longer! The band released a new album on Tuesday (Stone Cold Classics), and have set up a special web page to promote the album and their appearance on the show. It's all about marketing these days, you know!

As for the performances, they all did pretty well. The selections were smart, and the energy level very, very high. I think they all realize what's at stake here, and with the way things have been going so far this year, no one is safe.
Here's the lineup:

Bucky Covington - "Fat Bottom Girls"This was a real good choice for Bucky. The song has country/rock written all over it, and fit his vocal range perfectly. He seemed to really be enjoying himself as well. I'm still not convinced that Bucky should still be here, but I think he may just have bought himself another week.

Ace Young - "We Are the Champions"I haven't been wildly impressed by Ace, and tonight was no exception. But my problem was not so much in his performance; rather it was in his behavior. He acted like a pretentious idiot with Queen, trying to convince them to rearrange this song to suit his style, and they straight out refused! Then, after he had finished singing and Simon beat the crap out of him, Ace looked to the audience for support - the kiss of death to be sure! As for his vocals, there were some pitch problems here and there, but he was actually pretty good. Unfortunately, pretty good might not be good enough, and I think we just may have seen the last of Ace.

Kellie Pickler - "Bohemian Rhapsody"When I heard she was singing this song, I shook my head. With all the songs she could have chosen, taking on a song, any song, that someone nailed the previous season is nuts. But no one ever said she was a deep thinker! Kellie sang the song with conviction, and made quite a show out of it. I was impressed by her outfit too. Although she was somewhat nasal in parts, she did a whole lot better than I thought she would! However, once again, we had a chance to witness her brilliance in action! Simon was commenting on her outfit and said that, on paper, the performance should have been a disaster. Kellie didn't understand (certainly she knows what paper is) and made a comment how she can't understand Simon. I guess she's never watched the show before, right. What a ditz.

Chris Daughtry - "Innuendo"Chris chose an obscure song that Queen had never performed live, which was actually a smart move. It became a Chris Daughtry song to make or break, depending on how well he did it. I actually liked this performance. It was very contemporary and cutting edge, and fit his style beautifully. Chris' voice took a beating though, and I wonder how long he will be able to torment his vocal chords in such a way.

Katharine McPhee - "Who Wants to Live Forever"Katharine was going to sing "Don't Stop Me Now," but changed her mind after rehearsing the song with Queen and decided to do something slow and easy where she could just belt it out. And belt it she did! Katharine has a lovely voice, and the song was right in her range. But she got a bit shrill towards the end, which kind of blew it for me. No matter, the overall performance was lovely.

Elliott Yamin - "Somebody to Love"I like Elliott and all; I'm just not wildly enamored of him. Actually, I was somewhat bored by this performance, although I recognized his skill and maneuvering through some rather tricky note changes. I might just have to watch this one again, though, because at the end, he gave it a serious twist that caught my attention. Elliott is really on the bubble, and this performance was not the showstopper he needed to secure a spot in the top 7. He might just be in trouble this week.

Taylor Hicks - "Crazy Little Thing Called Love"This was the right song for Taylor at the right time in the competition. He was on it, that's for sure. That spazzy, growling, quirky Taylor that first endeared himself to me was on display once again. The thing with Taylor is that, while his vocals are not always the greatest, he is just so damn entertaining! He danced through the entire song, moving from one end of the stage to the other, doing some interesting stepping up and down the risers. I loved it!

Paris Bennett - "The Show Must Go On"Wow! Paris is a truly multi-faceted performer with the unique ability to work her way through whatever genre is presented to her. This one was very, very strong! Paris really opened herself up, throwing herself right into the song, and pulling out every ounce of emotion that was in her. I was very, very impressed, and can see why she had the anchor spot. I noticed Fantasia was sitting right behind Paula, and she seemed spellbound by Paris' performance. As well she should. This little girl could be on the way to giving her some competition.

I have done so poorly with my predictions this year, that I hesitate to even try it again. But it's part of the game, and besides, I have to give y'all something to laugh about, right? So here goes. Bottom three should be Ace, Bucky and Elliott. I have predicted that Bucky would be leaving almost every week since the competition began, and I am inclined to do the same this week, but I'm going to change it up. I think Ace will be eliminated. I think it's his time. Now watch... it'll be Bucky!!!

The results show will be an hour and start at 8:30 p.m. rather than 9:00. Don't miss it. The Idols will finally do a group number at long last. That alone is worth the price of admission!

2006-04-10T20:32:00.000-07:00

April 8 - Random Thoughts

You know, the more I think about Mandisa's elimination, the madder I get. It took me a few days to get to this point, actually, but now, I'm really aggravated. There are certainly a lot of reasons that she lost; David Bloomberg covered it nicely in his article, Why Mandisa Lost. And it doesn't seem as though people are really outraged about her leaving, at least not yet. Still, when I think about her not being on the show this week, I get depressed.

Queen night will certainly put Bucky and Kellie to the test. I think Taylor and Chris will shine - they'd better! Paris will find something to sing, and I am betting that Katharine will pick something perfect as well. Elliott can also do this one, and don't count Ace out either. Just as long as he doesn't attempt "Bohemian Rhapsody." The Constantine comparisons are still too fresh.

Does it seem like we've gotten down to eight really quickly. It will go really fast from hereon in, just wait. Before you know it, we'll be at the finale. But the question remains... who will be the top two? I just don't know, but I do know that I really want Taylor to be there. I can't imagine the show without him. I guess that means I'm hooked, right?

2006-04-09T10:38:00.000-07:00

Dress Like Your Favorite Idol

If you are diggin' the way the Idols are dressing this year, check out Star Style, a website offering a detailed look at the various outfits with links to places where you can buy the very same clothes, shoes, and accessories. I'll say one thing, they aren't skimping on the clothing allowances this year. The weekly allowance used to be $300, but with the price on some of these outfits this year, they must have raised that limit substantially. I hope they get to keep this stuff!

Check out Lisa Tucker's silk halter top from last week (lists at $278.00) or the bizarro top that Katharine wore ($347.00) That one's sold out, though, sorry! And the guys aren't skimping either. Bucky's jeans from last week were 1955 Levi's 501® "Faithful" Jeans with a $325.00 price tag! Chris' Mark NasonCorleone boots? $374.95! If nothing else, they get to go home with some slick new duds!

2006-04-07T20:31:00.000-07:00

April 5: Shocker or Not?

Are you shocked by this week's results? I'm not. That's not to say that I am happy about it. I never like to see a good singer leave when there are others left in the competiton who aren't as good. But this is American Idol, after all, and we should be used to this type of thing happening by now. Still, I think Mandisa is gone way too soon, and I will miss her.

It's funny how invested we get in this show and these strangers. With only eight remaining, we really feel a connection with this group, and as I predicted early on, losing any one of them is tough. I know one thing. It's time for all of us to step it up. The contestants need to really bring it performance-wise, and we, the viewers, had better get off the stick and start voting. I know I will be.

So that's it for another week of Idol. Queen next week. That should be interesting if nothing else!

2006-04-04T18:57:00.000-07:00

Top Nine Sing Country

I am not even going to pretend that I recognized most of the songs that the top 9 chose tonight. I am not into country, and since they didn't give us the titles, I tried to guess. I realize that will only show my ignorance, so I went to the American Idol board for some help. A lot of those people didn't know what the hell they were singing either, but I think I have them all right!

Can I say one thing before we get to the recaps? Kenny Rogers needs to stop with the plastic surgery. His eyes have nearly disappeared into his skull and he doesn't even look like the same guy! I am feeling extremely snide tonight, so please forgive. Let's get on with it, shall we.
Taylor Hicks - "Country Roads"This is one I do know and really don't like. I have no idea why Taylor picked this song, but it didn't work for him. At all! He was flat, uninspired, and totally boring. There was definitely something wrong with him tonight. Taylor usually makes me smile. This time around, he made me wince. I think he has enough support to see him through this disaster, but it certainly will be a wake-up call when he finds himself in the bottom three tomorrow night.

Mandisa - "Any Man of Mine"There was something wrong about the way Mandisa sang this one. It was too low for her voice or something. It wasn't bad, but it really didn't wow me. I hated her outfit too. Mandisa usually sticks to black, but tonight she was wearing a multi-colored rasta kind of halter top that hit right at the widest part of her thighs. It wasn't a good look, and really distracted me from the song.

It is at this point that Simon takes a shot at Ryan, saying something about his trying to look like he's from Desperate Housewives. This, of course, refers to photos of Ryan and Teri Hatcher smooching that have been circulating this week. Ryan was seriously pissed, and the entire Mandisa post-performance interview got lost in the mix somewhere.

Elliot Yamin - "If Tomorrow Never Comes"Elliott sings this well enough, but it is bo-ring. I am beginning to fall into a stupor here. The vocals were good, though. Kenny warned him about doing too many riffs, but Elliott shouldn't have listened. A few riffs might have livened this up a bit.

Paris Bennett - "How Do I Live Without You"Paris starts the song off very flat but pulls it around mid-song. I thought she did a very good job with this, actually. It's another song that has been sung to death though. It was certainly the best up to this point in the show, however, but that's not saying much. At least I wasn't yawning. I like her hair much better this week too.

Ace Young - "Tonight I Wanna Cry" Ace was actually pretty good tonight. He seemed to be feeling the song, and gave a very convincing performance. It might save him, actually. His hair looked better too. You know the show is boring when I am paying more attention to hair and wardrobe than the actual performances!

Kellie Pickler - "Fancy"If you gotta have country, this is the way to go. Kellie sang the crap out of this and was right on the money. I am not a big Kellie fan, but honestly, I have to give her props when due. She took this, made it her own, and ran the distance with it. The best so far, for sure. Her hair was glorious, as well it should be. She had her favorite stylist, Carmen Cutrona, flown in from Charlotte to do her hair tonight. My only problem is that the lyrics are all about a mother who gives up her child up to prostitution. Not that anyone really cares!

Chris Daughtry - "Making Memories of Us"Actually, I like this a lot. It was understated, and straight-forward. Chris' vocals were good too, and I enjoyed really hearing him sing as opposed to hearing him scream the way he did last week. I like this side of Chris.

Katherine McPhee - "Bringing out the Elvis in Me"This was a bluesy/country song, and while she did a decent job with it, I was bored. In fact, I actually left the room while she was singing and made a grilled cheese sandwich. Of course, I had my auxilary TV on in the kitchen, but still.

Bucky Covington - "Best I Ever Had"Kenny Rogers warned Bucky to enunciate but poor old Bucky didn't listen. I didn't understand a word of this song and thought he seriously dropped the ball. I think this may seal his fate and save my boy Taylor.

Best of the night was Kellie Pickler by a mile! Next I would say, Chris then Paris and Ace. Katharine would be fifth and Elliott sixth. My bottom three for the week, Mandisa, Taylor, and Bucky. Going home. Once again, I will predict that Bucky has traveled his last Idol mile! Of course, I am usually wrong, and am thinking that maybe Mandisa will be eliminated instead. I hope not, but she's had two "off" weeks in a row, and anything can happen. As long as it's not Taylor, I'll be okay.

2006-04-03T13:11:00.000-07:00

This blog was intended to be an archive for my Idol Thoughts website, but I have been neglecting this as of late. I am so emeshed in this season that it's getting tough to cover all the bases! Right now, I am spent!

I am so grateful to all the people who have bought my books and keep reading my stuff online. American Idol has given me an opportunity to do what I have always dreamed of doing, and the rewards keep on coming. I have several exciting projects in the works as well. So, let me take this opportunity to say thank you!

I seem to be somewhat blocked this week. Maybe it's because I am feeling spring up here in Central New York. There's nothing like 76 degrees to get me going! Winters here are long and hard, and Idol helps to pass the time. Who knew this would become my life's work!

I realize that I am rambling here, but wanted to post something different in this blog today. Thanks for letting me share!

2006-03-28T19:46:00.000-08:00

Donna's fascination with Taylor Hicks continues, but even his decent performance this week couldn't compensate for what can only be called a boring show. It was song choice hell for the top ten. Read on for a recap.

We've reached the top ten, and at this point, these people are in a "can't lose" situation. Why do I say that? They will all be going on the tour, and finally making some money. They each have a decent shot at a career, and no matter where they place, they will be "Idols" forever. The problem is, some of them don't seem to realize this yet, and are still lacking the kind of confidence that they should be exhibiting as top ten finalists.
This week's show is a good example of this. I figured it would be hot, but sadly, it was not. With all the songs they had to choose from, the selections were disappointing; some even foolish. Here's how it went down:

Lisa Tucker - "Because of You" This was not a good choice for Lisa at this point in the competition. She's been in the bottom three twice now, and really had to be special to avoid a return trip. I think this is Kelly's best single ever (her version really gets to me), and Lisa committed Idol suicide by trying it. She missed a bunch of notes, and there was just no energy in the performance. I'd say she's at serious risk. The judges agreed and Simon really got it right, saying that the song was too big for her voice.

Kellie Pickler - "Suds in a Bucket"Now, I haven't heard this song before so I have nothing against which to compare it. I guess it was okay! At least her makeup job wasn't quite as horrendous as it has been. She did give the song a bit of attitude, and it turned out to be a pretty good song choice after all. Still, a bit too hayseed for my liking.

Randy was puzzled by the song choice, and Paula agreed, saying that Kellie is much better than that song. Kellie kept apologizing, maddeningly! She's such a dip!

Ace Young - "Days of Jupiter"I can't stand this song, and what was up with his hair? It looked all matted and flat. Ace just sort of cruised through the song, pointing out his scar at one point. I was confused and unimpressed. What's wrong with them this week? Bor-ring.
Randy didn't like the song choice, but Paula called it refreshing. Still, it was not her favorite. Simon was equally unimpressed, and called the song karaoke.

Taylor Hicks - "Trouble"I must be totally out of the musical loop, because I didn't know this one either. But Taylor pulled it off, manipulating the lyrics and working his own brand of soul into the performance. Better than his singing though, was the way he looked. Wow! Who knew Taylor could be so hot! He had on a short black leather jacket, jeans, and a black, patterned tee shirt. I like!

George Huff, who was in the audience, seemed to like the song, and while Randy was a bit "meh," Simon said he liked the song and the vocal. It was Taylor's "styling" that he took exception to, though, calling it a Clay Aiken look. No way, Simon.

Mandisa - "Wanna Praise You"I liked this performance a lot, but the song had a bit of a herky-jerky feel too it. The transitions are abrupt, and Mandisa is better than that. George liked it though, and Mandisa was amazing, as usual. Still, not the best song choice.
Randy didn't get it. Paula made yet another stupid comment, saying that people would be "joining the church of Mandisa." Mandisa seemed to be offended by that. She's a Christian, Paula. You don't joke about worship! Paula is an idiot. Simon was not as impressed and thought the performance was a bit "indulgent."

Chris Daughtry - "What If"You knew he would get around to singing a Creed song sooner or later, right? Before he performed, however, Ryan brought up last week's performance and they casually talked about how Live is Chris' favorite band and blah, blah, blah. Okay, we get it, you goofed up and need to cover your tracks. As for the performance, well, I didn't like it (sorry Jen). I like Chris, but agree with Simon that Chris needs to show a different side. The song was way too heavy for Idol. Chris is a legit rocker though, and it's true, he hasn't compromised for a minute. That's definitely to his credt. Still...

Katharine McPhee - "The Voice Within"What the hell was she wearing? Yikes! The overblousy looking part came down in a "V" and it looked like she was wearing a leotard over her jeans. It was downright ugly. Her singing wasn't much better, actually. Katharine stumbled big time, falling flat on way too many notes. I wrote on my pad, "This show is turning into a nightmare!" I think this was Katharine's worst performance to date.

Randy said that she didn't bring anything new to it. Paula must have been listening to last weeks show in her head, because she called this Katharine's best performance to date! Simon surprised me and called this the best performance of the night. I need to clean out my ears.

Bucky Covington - "Real Good Man"La la la, Bucky was in a black cowboy hat, singing a country song nearly incoherently. The performance was boring, and it seemed as though he had totally given up. There was no spark, no energy; just the black hat. The judges agreed, and I say Bucky's going home.

Paris Bennett - "Work it Out"The stylists attacked Paris this week. I have to describe the hairdo, if I can! They teased up the top, poufing into a round, mushroomy looking affair. They put braids in on the sides and pulled it all back into a long, fake ponytail. Paris didn't know what to do with all that hair, and as she performed, it kept getting into her mouth. Her performance was amazing, as usual, but the song is about sex, for crying out loud. She had some pretty hot moves, though. I liked it, didn't love it. Simon also thought it was indulgent. I rest my case.

Elliott Yamin - "I Don't Wanna Be"Elliott violated one of my most important rules about this show. Never, ever do a song that another contestant nailed. More importantly, never, ever do a song that another contestant nailed LAST YEAR and that was included as his track on the Idol CD. Bo owned this song. Elliott did not. Before you start accusing me of favoritism, listen up. Not only did Elliott do the song, but he tried to make it R&B. It was a freakin' mess.
I was shocked when the judges reacted unanimously with glee. I don't understand it, and never will. Elliott, you are dead to me (just kidding).

This show was a real disappointment. It's hard to say who was the best, so I will call it a tie and give it to Taylor and Mandisa. Paris was third and much as I hate to do this, will give Kellie fourth. Chris was fifth and Elliott sixth. That brings us to the bottom three - Bucky, Ace, and Lisa. This week, I am almost dead certain that Bucky will be going home. Period.
Shakira will be performing with Wyclef Jean on the results show. That ought to bring some energy into the house!

2006-03-25T16:35:00.000-08:00

I am pleased to announce that my second book, Idol Thoughts: Season Four, has just been published by Lulu Press, and is available for purchase. I expanded this one a bit, and have even included some pictures as well as a complete review of the Syracuse shows. Click here to check it out.

By the way, I've been invited to attend Bo Bice Day in Helena, AL on May 12. The organizers want me to come down and participate in the event, and I have been asked to appear on Good Morning Birmingham! How bizarre! Here in Syracuse, I can't even get a regular gig on the radio commenting on the show, but in Birmingham, apparently, I am held in high esteem!!! I think that's hilarious! I really should go!

2006-03-25T15:53:00.000-08:00

Random Thoughts

Simon Cowell appeared on Larry King Live last Friday, and made a rather bold prediction. When King asked him who he thought was gong to win American Idol 5, Simon told him that his favorites were Taylor, Chris, and Kellie. He didn’t name a winner, though. I think even Simon knows that this one is a bit too close to call, at least right now.

This statement set off yet another round of the old “it’s fixed” flap. Every season, fans get all worked up over Simon and his obvious favoritism towards particular contestants. He has, in fact, called the winner each season weeks before the finale. Of course, he is privy to voting results, and has a good idea as to who the public favors. The thing is, Simon is in this game to find someone who will sell records. If the public likes a contestant, they will buy their music, thus making Simon more money.

I was surprised that Simon singled out Kellie. She isn’t as strong a singer as Mandisa or Katharine, and doesn’t have the raw talent of Paris or Lisa. But she definitely has an appeal, and her back story is compelling. I was touched to see her grandfather in the audience last week. See, I’ve bought the whole “I’m a cute country bumpkin” act too.

Simon has called Chris contemporary, and said that his performances have been the only ones that have had any relevance in the “real-world.” Last week, Chris had the anchor spot, and his performance was also highlighted by some pretty intense special effects. I don’t think he really needed all of that, but certainly it made an impression. At this point, when people still have quite made up their minds, little things can make a difference.

Maybe I am an idealist, but I still think the voters determine the winner. Simon basically said as much during his interview with Larry King. He also stated that, so far, voters have gotten it right. I would debate that in terms of Ruben vs. Clay. I think Clay should have won that season, and I think Simon knows it.

2006-03-19T18:19:00.000-08:00

It's funny how "into" this season I am already! I remember last year, I was feeling sort of disconnected at this point, and although I liked Bo, a lot, I wasn't real sure about the rest of the contestants. I had gone into season four really thinking that Anwar and Nadia would be people to watch, but their early round performances were disappointing. I guess my expectations were too high.

This season, however, my expectations are being met, every week, and I am so impressed by this group. I still think this is the best top 12 ever, and it's going to be real hard to watch as my favorites, and I have at least five, are eliminated.

Someone emailed me wondering how I saw the top five at this point. It's tough, and really too early to make predictions, but if I had to commit, at this point I would say Taylor, Katharine, Chris, Mandisa, and Paris. Or maybe Elliott. You see what I mean. I think Chris is being set up at this point as the favorite, but Taylor really came on strong on Tuesday. His performance was outstanding with just the right amount of soul and quirkiness. I thought Paris and Katharine were both amazing as well, and would have put Chris fourth overall.

What makes this so hard to call is that these people are all very different, and have totally different styles and skills. Taylor isn't the best singer, but he is unique. Katharine is a fabulous singer, and has a neat personality. Paris is just so cute and can really tear up the stage. And Mandisa, the word "regal" always comes to mind when I see her. Chris is a good performer with an interesting voice. He is contemporary. I am just not sure he's the best.

I flip-flop every week, but Taylor has been solid for me from the jump. I don't think he's going to win it, but I am enjoying watching him. I know a lot of the fun will go out of this show for me when (or maybe if is a better word) he is eliminated. Who knows, he could go all the way!!!

Off topic a bit here, I have gotten a couple of emails from people telling me about the latest Clay brouhaha. Apparently, a group of former fans (nine or so) have lodged a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) claiming that Sony/BMG has mislead them by marketing Clay as a goodly Christian young man when, it seems, he might have an alternative lifestyle. This stems from several tabloid stories alleging that several men have had "encounters" with Clay. One even printed pictures of someone who looks a lot like Clay, and which were supposedly sent as part of an email exchange. Who knows.

Clay's personal life should be just that, personal. If his fans can't handle the truth about him, whatever that may be, so be it. But filing a lawsuit claiming fraud is just plain ridiculous. Clay could simply walk away from all of this and devote the rest of his life to his foundation or UNICEF work. He doesn't need to perform. If this thing blows up, these few fanatics could well ruin it for the rest of the Clay Nation. Enjoy his music and respect his good deeds, but please, let him be a human being. He's entitled, after all.

2006-03-16T20:04:00.000-08:00

Idol Chartwatch, March 12: Good News for Bo and Carrie Fans

It’s been a long haul for Bo’s fans, but it looks as though his single is finally breaking out. Carrie’s fans can also celebrate this week, as she has been nominated for yet another set of awards, this time from the Academy Of Country Music. Read on for all the details.

Bo Bice’s single, “The Real Thing,” is gaining momentum, and interest in the single has had a positive effect on the album, which moved up one spot to #131 on the Billboard 200 after several weeks of decline.

Carrie Underwood has been nominated in four categories for the Academy Of Country Music Awards. Carrie was nominated for both Top Female Vocalist and Top New Female Vocalist, and her single, “Jesus, Take the Wheel,”" was nominated for both Single Record Of The Year and Song Of The Year. The show will be broadcast live from Las Vegas' MGM Grand Tuesday, May 23 (8:00-11:00 PM, live ET/delayed PT) on CBS. Carrie will also perform on the show.

Some Hearts remains in the top 10 of the Billboard 200, moving up one spot to #8. The album dropped two spots to #3 on the Country chart however, but moved up one spot to #10 on the Digital Album chart. Here’s a question.

This week, Kelly Clarkson’s, Breakaway, slid 12 spots to #26 on Billboard 200, the only chart on which it appears.

On the Country chart, Josh Gracin’s self-titled album dropped eight spots to #68, and Miranda Lambert’s Kerosene dropped one spot to #13. Miranda was up on the Billboard 200, though, finishing the week at #59.

George Huff’s Miracles keeps bouncing up and down the Gospel chart, and dropped nine spots to #39 this week. Fantasia’s Free Yourself dropped off the R&B Chart.

Here’s how Idol-related compilation albums did this week:

The Gospel, which features Tamyra Gray’s “Now Behold The Lamb” dropped 9 spots this week to #160 on the Billboard 200. It was #49 on the Hot R&B chart, #11 on the Soundtracks chart, and #5 on the Gospel chart this week.

2006 Grammy Nominees, which features Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone” dropped to #86 on the Billboard 200 and #6 on the Top Compilation chart

Wow Gospel 2006, featuring George Huff’s “Brighter Day” was #1 on the Gospel Chart, #63 on the Billboard 200 and #6 on the Top Compilation chart.

Now That’s What I Call Music #20 (Now 20) featuring Kelly Clarkson’s “Behind These Hazel Eyes” dropped to #47 on the Billboard 200 and remained #3 on the Top Compilation chart.

Carlos Santana’s All That I Am featuring Bo Bice’s “Brown Skin Girl” dropped to #173 on the Billboard Top 200.

Totally Country 5 featuring Miranda Lambert’s “Kerosene” was #38 on the Billboard 200, #9 on the Country chart, and #2 on the Compilation chart.

Fired Up 3, which features a Jason Nevins remix of Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone,” was #10 on the Compilation chart.

Now for the Idol-related singles results:

Bo’s single, “The Real Thing,” is taking off. This week, the single appeared on the Bubbling Under the Hot 100 chart in the 24th spot, which normally indicates that it will make its debut on the Hot 100 the following week! It was up 14 spots to #75 on the Pop 100, and six spots on the Pop 100 Airplay chart to #42. Hopefully, Bo’s appearance on American Idol last week will further boost sales of the album and radio airplay.

Kelly Clarkson’s “Because of You” was #22 on the Hot 100, and #20 on the Pop 100. It was #13 on the Hot 100 airplay chart, #14 on the Pop 100 Airplay chart, #3 on the Adult Contemporary chart and #4 on the Adult Top 40.

“Walk Away” is coming on strong. It was #26 on the Hot 100, #13 on the Pop 100, #21 on the Hot 100 Airplay, and #6 on the Pop 100 Airplay chart. It charted at #14 on the Adult Top 40, #29 on the Hot Digital Tracks, and #33 on Hot Digital Songs. It also turned up on the Hot Dance Radio Airplay chart at #16. It’s hot!

Kelly’s Grammy winning single, “Since U Been Gone,” was #59 on Hot Digital Tracks. “Gone” was #77 on the Pop 100 and #41 on the Pop 100 Airplay chart.

Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Take the Wheel” dropped to #7 on the Country Chart, but was up four spots to #24 on the Hot 100. It charted at #34 on the Hot 100 Airplay chart, #39 on the Pop 100, #17 on Hot Digital Tracks, and #20 on Hot Digital Songs. “Some Hearts” rose one spot to #22 on the Adult Top 40 and was #16 on the Adult Contemporary listing. Her latest, “Don’t Forget to Remember Me” was #51 on the Country chart.

George Huff’s, “A Brighter Day,” remained #19 on the Hot Gospel Songs chart. Incidentally, George performed over the weekend at the Billy and Franklin Graham Crusade in front of a packed house at the New Orleans Arena. He was very well received, and completely overwhelmed at the experience. Nothing has been set as of yet, but there is a good possibility that George will be appearing on Idol this season!

Josh Gracin’s new single, “Favorite State of Mind,” moved up to #49 on the Country chart this week.

Fantasia’s collaboration with Lyfe Jennings, “Hypothetically,” dropped two spots to #45 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop chart. INXS’ “Pretty Vegas” was #16 on the Adult Top 40 chart.

Miranda Lambert’s single, “Kerosene,” was #81 on the Hot 100, and #84 on the Pop 100.

Finally, Fuel’s “Hemorrhage (In My Hands),” suddenly appeared on both the Hot Digital Tracks and Hot Digital Songs charts this week. Of course, this is the song that Chris Daughtry tore up the second week of the semi-finals. Interesting that an Idol contestant doing a song seems to spark interest and even sales for the original artist’s version. Don’t you love it!

2006-03-14T15:14:00.000-08:00

Idol Update

Congrats to this year's Top 12! This week Idol returns to a Tuesday/Wednesday schedule with a two-hour performance show on Tuesday. The top 12 will be singing Stevie Wonder songs, and on Wednesday, Stevie will be in the house, performing with them.

Sweetest Idol Hangover!

I am exhausted, and feel as though I have overdosed on Idol for the past three weeks. What's amazing to me is that we are already two months into the season, and just now getting to the "real" competition. Now, of course, we are in for three months of intensity, culminating with the finale at the end of May.

I have to say that I really enjoyed watching the top 24 narrow down to 12. There were some outstanding performances, and for the most part, I am okay with the end results. I would have preferred Gedeon to Bucky, and Ayla to Melissa, but other than that, it's pretty much as I predicted.

So far, my favorite performances have come from Taylor (big surprise), who totally blew me away with "Takin' it to the Street." I loved his bunny suit too. This guy has the strangest style I've ever seen on this show, but he is just so appealing, I can't get enough of him.

Mandisa's "I'm Every Woman" was incredible, and I have not been disappointed in her at all. I like Chris too. Paris and Lisa are both so talented, and I always look forward to their performances as well. I think I was most surprised this past week by Kevin Covais. His "Vincent" really moved me for some reason. Kevin has a beautiful voice, and he's just so darn earnest.

I still think this is going to be the best season ever, and every week's elimination will be tough to watch. It is also important that people vote because this race is tight. If fans get complacent, their favorites will go home. It's as simple as that.

Stevie Wonder week should be interesting. He has a huge catalog, and I hope that the choices stray from the safe path. They need to use some creativity in their selections, that's for sure. We'll see! Stevie's music is broad enough to accomodate them all, though, from the rockers to the country bumpkins! I can't wait.

2006-03-10T16:54:00.000-08:00

Why is American Idol so Popular?

American Idol is kicking butt in the ratings this season, blowing away the Olympics, the Emmys, and even Survivor. Why is this show so popular, and why does its popularilty continue to strengthen? Are we crazy, or just finding a way to live vicariously? Maybe it's a little of both!

I have been watching Idol since the middle of the first season, and every season, it seems, I get more involved. I use the excuse that I have to watch since I am writing recaps and columns, and maintaining two blogs and a website! But all that is just an excuse. I watch Idol because I love it, plain and simple.

I can only speak for myself, but I think the reason this show is so popular is because it allows us, the viewers, to gain a stake in the ultimate career of a complete stranger. Think about it. We start watching the show in January and suffer through endless audition shows and countless bad singers. We find someone in the mix who appeals to us, and begin investing our time and emotion in this person.

We follow this individual to Hollywood, and cheer when he or she gets to the top 24. Then, we hold our breaths each week as this person performs for our votes and faces elimination. When “our” Idol makes the cut, we are overjoyed. If he or she is eliminated, we are disappointed.

Once the competition begins, we watch each week, vote, join fansites, and generally angst about our favorite. We feel that we know this individual, and celebrate each week as he or she makes the cut. Losing a favorite is painful, to be sure. I know I cried real tears when George Huff was eliminated. But if our favorite makes the finals, we share in this victory. We feel partially responsible, after all, since our votes got this person to this point in the competition.

Once the competition is over, we follow our favorite through the next phase of his or her career; eagerly awaiting the release of the first CD. We Tivo TV appearances and suffer through the inanity of such shows as Regis and Kelly just to catch a glimpse of our Idol. And then, we start all over again with a new season, adding yet another Idol to our little collection of favorites.

“My” Idols—Kelly, Kimberley, George, and Bo have all done quite well in the years since I first “met” them. This year, I “discovered” Taylor early on and will cheer him on for as long as his ride lasts. Will he win? I have no idea, but it doesn’t matter. I will invest in his journey because that’s what’s important. Win or lose, finals or not, Taylor’s journey will become part of me, and ultimately, his success (or failure) will impact me emotionally. And that, my friends, is what makes this show so compelling!

2006-03-07T20:25:00.000-08:00

American Idol 5 – The Top 8 Ladies

The eight remaining girls have one more chance to impress us with their vocals and hopefully make it to the top 12 in the competition. Here’s how they did tonight.

Paris Bennett – “Conga”
Paris showed a real spark with this song. She looked young, danced great, and really sparkled. She has great energy and did a good job with this one. This was not her best, but I think she’s a lock for the top 12.

Randy thought it was interesting, but says it was not his favorite. Paula would rather Paris sing more up-tempo songs, but notes that this is a very tough song to sing. Simon says that Paris made the right song selection and predicts that she will sail through to the next round.

Lisa Tucker - “Where I Stand"

This was a very appropriate choice for Lisa, and I loved that she was really singing to us, asking us for our support. She is a consummate pro and obviously takes all this very seriously. I enjoyed this performance a lot, and think it might be enough to put her through.

Randy liked her performance, but thought the song was too old. Paula says she wishes that Paris had sung something they could “get into.” Simon says that Lisa is singing songs that sound like her mother has picked them.

Melissa McGhee - “What About Love"

Melissa rocked this out and I thought she did very well. She was obviously working very hard for our votes, and she just might have done it. I like her voice and energy, but I prefer her singing the country songs.

Randy says this was a good choice for her, but pointed out that she was a bit sharp at the end. Paula says that Melissa keeps improving each week. Simon thinks she shouted the song and says that he thinks she just bought herself a ticket home.

Back in the red room, Ryan asks Katharine about the rumors that have been circulating that she is quitting the show. She denies this, of course. She also denies that she is pregnant. Thanks for clearing this up, Ryan.

Kinnik Sky -“If I Aint Got You"

Taking on an Alicia Keys classic was suicide for Kinnik. She loses it about halfway through and never gets back on key. Too bad, because she can sing, but I think this is the end of the road for Kinnik.

Randy loves the song, but didn’t miss her sharp notes. Paula doesn’t know what to say, but Simon makes up for her by saying “You just messed it up.” He thinks she will be heading home as well.

Katharine McPhee - “Think”

Katharine nails this one from the first note. She’s right on key, in synch with the backup singers (who were awesome on this one), and dead on with her selection. I was impressed.

Randy says “We’ve got a hot one tonight!” Paula says she had fun watching Katharine have fun. She was impressed by Katharine’s vocal control. Simon says she made it seem effortless.

Ayla Brown - “Unwritten”

I liked this performance a lot. I thought that Ayla looked great, sounded very good, and really worked the stage and the audience. This was the first time that Ayla really connected with the audience. She really needed this performance, and while it is going to be close, I think she just might pull it off.

Randy says that this song didn’t really show off her range. Paula praises Ayla’s work ethic and comments on her shoes. Simon says that it was “pretty good,” but wishes he could see more of the “young” Ayla.

Mandisa - “I’m Every Woman”

Wow! Mandisa tore this up. Her vocals were powerful and clear, and she cut some great moves as well. Mandisa means business, and deserves a spot in this competition. I knew she had this performance in her and was thrilled that she pulled it off.

Randy says this was the best female vocal performance of the season, and called out to the Dawg Pound, “We’ve got a hot one tonight!” Paula says that Mandisa sang her butt off and gave her chills. Simon says that the other women are going to hate her guts, because Mandisa made everyone else seem ordinary. He also says that Mandisa’s performance was the only one he’d rewind and watch again. I’m with you there, Simon.

Kellie Pickler -“I’m the Only One”

I may have misjudged Kellie, because I think she’s the real deal. Not that I think she’s the best singer, she isn’t. But she is so down-to-earth, and she put everything she had into this performance.

Randy says that he thinks Kellie has been consistent every week, and says that she did a great job. Paula comments on Kellie’s dancing. Simon calls Kellie a “naughty little minx” (she has no idea what a minx is!), and says that he prefers her to last year’s winner! What? Did I hear that right? Wow. What a dis to Carrie! That’s going to really rile up that faction of Idoldom!

This was a good show, and it’s going to be tough to call. Mandisa took the night with Katharine in second place. Lisa and Paris were third and fourth. Kellie is fifth. I have Melissa, Ayla, and Kinnik as the bottom three. My gut tells me that Kinnik is a goner. Her performance sealed the deal. I think Melissa is a better singer but Ayla is more interesting. Therefore, while I don’t believe she deserves to go home, I think we’ll be saying goodbye to Melissa on Thursday.

Guys tonight! Be there for another LIVE performance show!

2006-03-04T10:08:00.000-08:00

Weekend Idol Fix!
This week, of course, we'll be paring the group down to 12. I love this particular element of the competition, and this year especially will certainly be very dramatic and emotional. There are really no "throwaways" in the mix, although I think Kevin should have been gone last week. Bucky and Gedeon are on the bubble, mostly because neither of them has a real broad base of appeal. I really don't want to see either of them gone, and would much prefer to see Will go home, but I don't think that will happen.

As for the ladies, I fear Kinnik may bite the dust, but I can't even guess as to who the other one will be. It will probably come down to Melissa and Ayla, with Ayla having a slight edge. Personally, I think Kellie is the weakest of all the remaining girls, but I don't think she will be voted off at this point. She has a huge following, which will probably carry her through. I don't think she will get too far once the real competition begins, though.

But, really, it's anyone's guess at this point. I hope people vote based on performance rather than perceived popularity. And I also hope that the judges will try to be less biased towards their favorites, and more fair in their assessments. I was really surprised at their (Randy and Paula anyway) of Ace. I thought he was the worst of the night. I was also surprised that they didn't like Taylor's "Easy." I thought that was amazing. And so, it seems, did Bo, who was in the audience and diggin' Taylor big time.

In the meantime, here are some interesting links to keep you sated until Tuesday!

Here's a story about how Ayla Brown has won over the support of a group of cloistered nuns who normally are not allowed to watch TV! How precious is this! Actually, Ayla is doing much better than expected. I agree with Simon that she is an over-achiever, and is determined to make a go of this. Her ultimate elimination will be particularly heart-rendering!

Access Hollywood is reporting that Chris Daughtry has an offer on the table from Fuel, the band whose song he rocked out to Wednesday night. According to Randy Jackson, the band is looking for a new lead singer, and after his outstanding performance on Wednesday, Chris moved to the top of the list! Chris will have to wait until at least August to sign any deals, however. This year's contract forbids anyone from the top 24 to sign any deals until three months after the season finale. And, if Chris should win, this would certainly not occur.

Brenna Gethers' elimination was almost universally celebrated. In fact, I don't think there's ever been a contestant at this stage of the competition who polarized viewers as successfully! So why did she lose? Seems rather redundant, but Foxes on Idol's David Bloomberg has an amusing piece on just this topic!

Elliott Yamin's stock rose significantly on Wednesday, but questions linger about his appearance and whether or not he "looks" like an Idol. Dave McGurgan of phillyBurbs.com wrote a semi-serious piece this week about Elliott's teeth, revealing that Elliott is a diabetic, and that this can affect a person's teeth and gums. There are some interesting links within this article as well.

Finally, our beloved Paula caused quite a ruckus at the Las Vegas airport on Thursday after she was allowed to board a plane without passing through security. She was running late, and risked missing the flight, which would cause her to miss the live broadcast. As a result, all the passengers and luggage had to be screened when they landed in California.

2006-03-02T16:31:00.000-08:00

Who Would Win an All-Star Idol Competition

I read an interesting thread on the American Idol message board the other day. The question was, of the four Idols—Kelly, Ruben, Fantasia, or Carrie—who would win if there were to be an all-Idol version of the show?

I got to thinking about that, and while the obvious answer based on past performance would be Kelly, if the playing field were level and they were all unknowns, the outcome might be different. They are all very good at what they do, but they appeal to different audiences, and sing in different genres.

Kelly has a fabulous voice, great range, and a soulful edge that allows her to sing just about anything. Lately, though, she’s edging closer to rock. If she sang “Because of You” in the competition, I think she would come out the winner. But if she did “Since U Been Gone,” her appeal might be narrower. It would all come down to song choice.

Since the end of Idol 2, Ruben has sung R&B, hip-hop, and gospel. “I Need an Angel” would be the best choice for him because it is an uplifting song that he sings very, very well. But gospel does not have a broad appeal, and I think Ruben would end up getting the least amount of votes, and losing handily.

What about Fantasia? She knocked me out with “I Believe," and I love “Free Yourself” as well. Either one of these songs would work in the competition. But Fantasia’s main strength is the magic she brings to the stage. She owns the stage, and has the power to bring people to their feet. She may not have the strongest voice, but her performing skills would give her the edge in this hypothetical competition.

Carrie has a beautiful voice and an appeal that is hard to match. She has made a mark in the country market, and her music has strong cross-over appeal. Carrie is still working on her stage skills, though, and would have to really shine to out-perform Fantasia. Between Kelly and Carrie, though, I think Carrie just might come out the victor.

My winner, then, would be Fantasia, with Carrie edging out Kelly for second place. Ruben would be last. Of course, we will never see this happen, but it’s certainly fun to speculate and wile away the hours until Idol airs once again! Seriously, I really need to get a life!

2006-02-28T19:54:00.000-08:00

American Idol 5 - The Top Ten Girls
Last week, the ladies were outstanding. How will they do this time around? Will Ayla (shown in her high school yearbook photo at right) continue to impress? We're down to ten, and only eight will advance. Here's a recap of Tuesday's performance show.

It's ladies' night and the ten remaining girls will try to wow us with their vocals and fight for survival to the next round. Before each performance, each girl had a chance to tell her favorite Idol moment so far. Cute but hardly worth repeating. Here's what you really want to know:

Katharine McPhee - "All is Fair in Love"
I love this song, but although Katharine did a good job with it, I was a tad bored. She was a little flat in places, and it might have been a bit too "quiet" for such an important performance. Still, she's got a great voice, and should be safe for a while.

Randy says this was not her best and that it was just "OK." Paula agrees and says this wasn't a good song choice. Simon reminds her that this is more than just about singing, and says, "Not your best choice by a mile."

Kinnik Sky - "Here for the Party"
First, let me describe Kinnik's outfit. She is wearing capri cammies, a lacy bustier, a short deminy jacket, cowboy boots, and a straw cowboy hat. Combine this with lots of jewelry and stylin' nails and you get the gist? She has lots of energy and a great voice, but I am just not buying this song choice. She's having fun, though. Randy also likes her energy but didn't like the song choice. Paula agrees. Simon calls the performance "theme park." He's right.

Lisa Tucker - "Who's Loving You"
While this song is really not believable coming from Lisa (too old for her), I am totally loving her voice. There is so much texture to it and she is so polished. Lisa knows her way around the stage, and really connects with the audience. I like her a lot. Randy doesn't think this was the right choice of song. Paula disagrees and says, "You're a star." Simon is also not terribly thrilled by the song choice but says she will sail through.

Melissa McGhee - "Why Haven't I Heard from You?"
This was a crucial night for Melissa. She has to overcome the lack of air time and while the song choice fit her voice, it was still not quite enough to make me sit up and say "wow." She's good, not great. Randy is wowed, though, and says, "That was hot." Paula calls her unique and says she can hear her voice on the radio. Simon disagrees and says that he thinks it was the wrong song choice. He points out that he still doesn't see her connecting with the audience. I agree.

Heather Cox - "Hero" (the Mariah Carey version)
Oh Heather, why? Why would you think you could pull this off? It's a shame, but only Mariah can sing this. Everyone else sounds like karaoke. That being said, Heather really doesn't do terribly badly. She also gets the burning sea background for some reason. Paula (who has changed seats with Randy to get away from Simon) says that while Heather has improved from last week, it was a mistake to choose that song. Randy (who worked with Mariah) agrees and says that Heather pales in comparison. Simon compares this performance to some "ghastly pageant." He says doing a song like this is pointless if you can't do something different with it.

Brenna Gethers - "Last Dance"
Yikes! It's hard to describe exactly what Brenna does with this. She poses a lot, and tries to dance a bit. She is so full of herself that it is pathetic. Vocally, she's all over the place, and the overall effect is "ugh." Paula no longer sees the magic and asks Brenna how she thinks she did. "Wonderful," she replies. Randy is laughing and says that Brenna and Simon are a lot alike. Simon is not amused and compares the entire performance to something he's seen 1000 times in bars. He predicts this will be Brenna's last stand, but she pipes up and says, "It's up to America." I am America, and I say you should be history.

Paris Bennett - "Wind Beneath my Wings"
What is it with the outfits tonight? Paris is wearing a black bustier over a white shirt with a collar. She has on a huge rhinestone choker and has her hair up in a prom-like updo. They've given her the puffy cloudy sky background, and the blue bleeds into her hair and makes her look like she has on a blue headband. Not a good look dear. This song bores me to tears, but Paris does it justice, and amazes me with her deep, rich tones. Her singing voice is totally unlike her speaking voice, which is so "little girly."

Paula says she likes Paris' fashion style and calls this an amazing performance. But, she urges Paris to celebrate fun and youth. I agree. Randy says that Paris reminds him of a young Lauryn Hill and says she never has to play it so safe. "Be young," he says. Simon says the overall effect was "little old lady." Paris says she chose the song because her great-grandmother loves it. Simon's point is made.

Ayla Brown - "I Want You to Need Me"
I was impressed by Ayla last week and she didn't disappoint me this week either. Ayla has a solid voice, and as long as she doesn't stray from her zone, she does just fine. She did hit a few flat notes, but overall, it was okay. Paula says that she thinks Ayla really wants this (she does). She praises her conviction, and says she is amazed. Randy was also surprised and says he liked it. Simon thinks that Ayla is working harder than anyone there and that she is not used to failing. He says, "If we asked you all to come out next week and juggle, you'd probably do it." She laughs and says she probably would. He does call her a bit mechanical, though.

Kellie Pickler - "Let's Give 'em Something to Talk About"
I say, "So what." Kellie's cute and bouncy and little miss personality, but her vocals are rough and unpolished. Plus, she seems to know that she is cute and is playing that up. Kellie has some work to do, but I think she is safe for another week, at least.

Paula calls her cute and adorable, and says she enjoyed it. Randy is overly excited, and hoots at the "Dawg Pound." He says she got it right all around. Simon says he cannot help but like her and although it wasn't her best, he says America will fall in love with her.

Mandisa - "Cry"
I wanted to love this but didn't. It wasn't the right song for Mandisa but she did it justice nonetheless. She has such poise onstage and her voice is strong. She projects with power and conviction, and despite the song choice, was very good. Still, I want more from her. Don't let me down! Paula calls her one of a kind and praises her for choosing different songs and putting her own flavor in them. Randy says it was a bit rough, and wants to see her "throw it down." Simon thinks she looked very cabaret and says that Mandisa hasn't nailed it yet. But, he adds, "When you're on it, I don't think there's a better female voice in the competition."

So there you have it. While I wasn't blown away by any of the performances, I thought Lisa did the best of the night, followed by Ayla, Paris, Mandisa, Melissa, Katharine, Kellie, and Kinnik. Heather and Brenna should go home. Period. But I fully expect Brenna to stick around one more week and instead, we will bid farewell to Kinnik.

2006-02-25T09:38:00.000-08:00

Weekend Idol Fix
It's a long time until Tuesday, so if you are already "jonesing" for some Idol, here are some news links to keep you going over the weekend. You can also visit the American Idol message boards and commune with others similarly addicted!

If you want the latest Idol downloads, you need to check out American Idol 5 By Request! It's the best! Eli gets the music up on the site the same night, in most cases, and the quality of the MP3s is excellent. He asks for a small donation to pay for the bandwidth, and it is so worth it.

American Idol Skates Circles Around Olympics
Early Idol Eliminations Say They Regret Song Selections
Idol Viewers Give Hicks Thumbs Up
Little Known Facts About Kellie Pickler
Ayla Reflects on Idol So Far
Idol Dream Still Alive for McPhee
Why Bobby Lost
Why Becky Lost
Maxim Site Featuring Becky O'Donahue (This one's for the guys!!!)

That ought to keep you going for a while!!!

Being an Idol Fan – Can You Love More Than One?

Every Idol season to date, I have “discovered” one contestant early on who, for whatever reason, grabs me… hard. They become “my” Idol, and I follow them faithfully throughout the competition and beyond. I make sure to continue to keep their names prominent in my columns for Foxes on Idol, and promote them whenever I have the chance. I have been fortunate enough to meet three of my four favorites, and have developed a friendship with one of them that continues nearly two years later.

I have made no secret of any of this. If you’ve read my columns, you already know who they are. But what’s weird about Idol is that some people don’t understand that just because you have a favorite from one season, doesn’t mean that you can’t get into someone from the next one. Some fans express the sentiment that their search is over, and having found their Idol, there is no need to look any farther!

I bring all this up because I received an e-mail from a Bo fan who is upset that I have begun championing my pick for season five, Taylor Hicks. She can’t understand how I can “betray” Bo and questions my loyalty! I brushed it off, but then my husband brought up the same question. I was trying to get him to listen to Taylor’s tracks, and he said, “See what I mean? As soon as the new season starts, you forget all about Bo.” Whatever.

The last straw was reading a post that someone forwarded to me from another contestant’s message board. I was the topic of the thread, and someone called me “fickle,” wondering who I would “pimp” this year! While being the topic of a message board thread is rather bizarre, I did stop and ask myself if I really am guilty of such behavior!

I guess the answer is that I am both a fan and a journalist. As a fan, I have every right to pick my favorites, and to promote those people however I chose. As a journalist, I have to be careful to be objective when I have to be. But, my column (Idol Thoughts) is an opinion piece, and if my “thoughts” are about Bo or George or Taylor, that’s what I am going to write about.

So, as this season kicks into gear, I find myself getting excited once again. I am ready for yet another journey, and although there are a number of really great performers in the mix, I “recognized” Taylor right away. Good, bad, or indifferent, he’s my guy this time around, and I will promote him shamelessly! So, deal with it!

2006-02-21T19:42:00.000-08:00

American Idol 5 - Ladies' Night

The ladies took the stage last night, and it seems that the group was really split 50/50. There were some outstanding performances, and some rather ordinary. Here's how I saw it:

Mandisa - "Never" : Mandisa came out first, and while I wasn't keen on her song selection, she did a great job with it. Randy was impressed and Simon said he would expect to see her in the final rounds. Mandisa has a strong voice and polished performing skills. She will easily make it through this round.

Kellie Pickler - "How Far": Kellie was very nervous, and seemed out of her element. She sang the song from her heart, though, and that much translated well. Safe this round.

Becky O’Donohue - "Because the Night" : Becky oversang this song and never really sold it, to me at least. She's got a decent voice, though, but I think she'll get through on her looks this time around. But top 12? Never.

Ayla Brown - "Reflection" : Randy was pleasantly surprised, and so was I. I had a preconceived notion about Ayla and was wrong. Her song moved me and earned my first "tear factor" of the year. Bravo Ayla. Safe this week, I'd say.

Paris Bennett - "Midnight Train to Georgia" : Paris brought it! She has great energy and really knows how to work the stage. Paula said she reminded her of Fantasia, and Simon said, "It's not about being good, it's about being great... and that was great!"

Brenna Gethers - "You are the Sunshine of My Life": I don't like this girl... at all. It was a dull song choice, and she didn't impress me one bit. Randy thought it was a safe performance and Simon thought she did horribly. He compared her to a "wild cat that was forced into wearing gloves." I want her gone, but I fear she will last one more week.

Stevie Scott - "To Where You Are": Oh dear. That was not good at all. Simon said, "I think you completely and utterly messed that up." I call this performance "bland." Goodbye Stevie.

Lisa Tucker - "I'm Changing" : Now that's what's up! Lisa blew this one away, and impressed even my normally indifferent husband. Simon said Lisa made the girls who are five or six years older than her look ordinary. She did.

Melissa McGhee - " When The Lights Go Down": Melissa tried way too hard to be memorable, but it was a tough night. Melissa argued with Simon, always a no-no, pointing out that she had no air time up to now. She should be safe tonight, though. Melissa is going to have to work much harder than anyone else to make the top 12. The competition is fierce this year. Fierce.

Heather Cox - "When You Tell Me That You Love Me": This was, of course, last year's Idol single. Vonzell sang the crap out of it. Heather did not. Simon said, "No one will remember that performance." I hope not. She was out of tune the entire song. It was grim. I think this will be Heather's first and only Idol performance.

Kinnik - "Get Here": Kinnik did a great job with this song, but coming on after Lisa was unfortunate. She's good, but probably not strong enough to compete with the likes of Mandisa, Paris, and Lisa. We can't have "four divas," now, can we? I think she will be safe this week, though.

Katharine McPhee - "Since I Fell For You" : Katharine sang last, which is normally the spot saved for the person perceived to be the best of the night. She was good, but the performance was a bit to pretentious. Simon said that there were four really good performances, and that hers was the best. I disagree. Paris stole the show for me. But Katharine has nothing to worry about.

So, here's how I see it. Lisa took the night with Paris in second. Katharine was third and Mandisa fourth. Ayla took fifth place and Melissa sixth. Kinnik gets seventh, Kellie eighth, Becky ninth, and Brenna tenth. This leaves Heather and Stevie who, I predict, will be going home.

The guys do it tonight. Be there for all the action!

2006-02-20T09:38:00.000-08:00

And the Winner is... Kelly Clarkson!

Congratulations to Kelly Clarkson who became the first Idol to win not just one, but two Grammys. Kelly won for Best Female Pop Vocal performance for her hit, "Since U Been Gone," and and best pop vocal album for Breakaway. She also performed "Because of You" on the show.

2006-02-19T15:32:00.000-08:00

American Idol 5, February 15: The Final Cut

This year's top 24 have been selected and it's time to get down to business. In case you missed the show (which was awesome, by the way), here's a list of the lucky 24 (in no particular order): Chris Daughtry, Heather Cox, Katharine McPhee, Kellie Pickler, Ace Young, David Radford, Rebecca O’Donoghue, Mandisa Hundley, Brenna Gethers, Elliot Yamin, Paris Bennett, Taylor Hicks, William Makkar, Lisa Tucker, Ayla Brown, Bobby Bennett, Jose "Sway" Penala, Melissa McGhee, Patrick Hall, Stevie Scott, Gideon McKenney, Bucky Covington, Kinnik, and Kevin Covais.

For me, the highlight of the show was Taylor Hicks playing the harmonica as he entered the audition room. This guy is totally cool, and I predict that he is going to be a contender. Odd as he is, if he catches on, he could make the final three, and maybe even win it all.

Kellie Pickler's emotional and very genuine response to making the cut was heartwarming. I don't care how hokey it is or how overplayed her hard-luck story has been, she has had a tough life, and making it into the top 24 is a real "rags to riches story." This is the stuff of movies, folks.

I was also impressed by Mandisa Hundley's little speech when she got to the judges. Mandisa entered the judges room and walked confidently up to the table. She opened by saying, “You didn’t need a bigger stage, but you should have a bigger chair!” Mandisa then told Simon that his words were painful, and that she cried over what he said. But, she has forgiven Simon. She believes that if Jesus could forgive, she can as well. Simon responds by saying, “I am sorry to tell you,” he starts out. “You are going to have to go through this again, because you are through!”

Chris Daughtry getting stuck in the elevator on the way up to the judges was also dramatic. He was in there for six minutes. Yikes. But he made the cut.

The show also handled the demise of the Brittenum twins quite well. First we say them one more time, saying in unision, “Our behavior has been absolutely flawless.” Then the film cut to a news broadcast covering the story that the very night their audition aired, Terrell was in jail and Derrell was on the lam.

And that's it. Next Tuesday, the twelve girls will sing, and on Wednesday, the guys will take the stage. Both Tuesday and Wednesday's shows are two hours long. The results will be announced in a one-hour show on Thursday. That’s five hours of Idol next week. Can you stand it!!!

2006-02-16T15:16:00.000-08:00

Idol Backgrounder

The top 24 has been chosen, and now, it's up to the viewers to determine who makes the top 12 and who goes home. American Idol has posted photos and brief bios on the official website, but fans always want more. Here are some links to articles that offer a little more information on some of your favorites.

Taylor Hicks
Paris Bennett
Kevin Covais
Ayla Brown
Becky O'Donahue (formerly Rebecca O'Donaghue)
Kellie Pickler

I'll update this list as more information becomes available. In the meantime, here's a complete list of all the contestants, their ages, and hometowns:

The Gals:
-Paris Bennett, 17, Fayetteville, Georgia
-Ayla Brown, 17, Wrentham, Massachusetts
-Heather Cox, 22, Jonesville, North Carolina
-Brenna Gethers, 25, Mt. Vernon, New York
-Mandisa, 29, Antioch, Tennessee
-Kinnik Sky, 28, Duluth, Georgia
-Melissa McGhee, 21, Tampa
-Katharine McPhee, 21, Sherman Oaks, California
-Becky O'Donohue, 25, Dobbs Ferry, New York
-Kellie Pickler, 19, Albemarle, North Carolina
-Stevie Scott, 19, Fair Oaks, California
-Lisa Tucker, 16, Anaheim, California

The Guys:
-Bobby Bennett, 19, Denver
-Kevin Covais, 16, Levittown, New York
-Bucky Covington, 28, Rockingham, North Carolina
-Chris Daughtry, 26, McLeansville, North Carolina
-Patrick Hall, 27, Gravette, Arkansas
-Taylor Hicks, 29, Birmingham, Alabama
-Will Makar, 16, The Woodlands, Texas
-Gedeon McKinney, 17, Memphis
-Jose "Sway" Penala, 28, South San Francisco, California
-David Radford, 17, Crystal Lake, Illinois
-Elliott Yamin, 27, Richmond, Virginia
-Ace Young, 25, Los Angeles

2006-02-15T20:21:00.000-08:00

American Idol 5, February 15: The Final Cut

This year's top 24 have been selected and it's time to get down to business. In case you missed the show (which was awesome, by the way), here's a list of the lucky 24 (in no particular order): Chris Daughtry, Heather Cox, Katharine McPhee, Kellie Pickler, Ace Young, David Radford, Rebecca O’Donoghue, Mandisa Hundley, Brenna Gethers, Elliot Yamin, Paris Bennett, Taylor Hicks, William Makkar, Lisa Tucker, Ayla Brown, Bobby Bennett, Jose "Sway" Penala, Melissa McGhee, Patrick Hall, Stevie Scott, Gideon McKenney, Bucky Covington, Kinnik, and Kevin Covais.

For me, the highlight of the show was Taylor Hicks playing the harmonica as he entered the audition room. This guy is totally cool, and I predict that he is going to be a contender. Odd as he is, if he catches on, he could make the final three, and maybe even win it all.
Kellie Pickler's emotional and very genuine response to making the cut was heartwarming. I don't care how hokey it is or how overplayed her hard-luck story has been, she has had a tough life, and making it into the top 24 is a real "rags to riches story." This is the stuff of movies, folks.

I was also impressed by Mandisa Hundley's little speech when she got to the judges. Mandisa entered the judges room and walked confidently up to the table. She opened by saying, “You didn’t need a bigger stage, but you should have a bigger chair!” Mandisa then told Simon that his words were painful, and that she cried over what he said. But, she has forgiven Simon. She believes that if Jesus could forgive, she can as well. Simon responds by saying, “I am sorry to tell you,” he starts out. “You are going to have to go through this again, because you are through!”

Chris Daughtry getting stuck in the elevator on the way up to the judges was also dramatic. He was in there for six minutes. Yikes. But he made the cut.

The show also handled the demise of the Brittenum twins quite well. First we say them one more time, saying in unision, “Our behavior has been absolutely flawless.” Then the film cut to a news broadcast covering the story that the very night their audition aired, Terrell was in jail and Derrell was on the lam.

And that's it. Next Tuesday, the twelve girls will sing, and on Wednesday, the guys will take the stage. Both Monday and Tuesday’s shows are two hours long. The results will be announced in a one-hour show on Thursday. That’s five hours of Idol next week. Can you stand it!!!

2006-02-14T18:38:00.000-08:00

Idol Top 24 to be Chosen Wednesday Night

Donna has already selected three to watch this season (from left to right Paris Bennett, Taylor Hicks, and Mandisa Hundley), but there are 21 other spots to fill. Who will be in this year's top 24 on American Idol?

We are about to find out who will be this year's top 24 on American Idol! But, of course, you already knew that! As much as I hate the audition rounds, once the show gets to the Hollywood stage, I am already "in" it for real. I love the drama, the fights, and even the Brittenum twin's hissy fit. What's up with that? What's ironic about all of this is that we already know the twins spent some time in jail in mid-January, and were uninvited to the top 44 selection show. I wondered how the producers would handle all of this, but truth really played out better than fiction. The twins turned themselves into villains right before our eyes so that their ultimate fate will actually be satisfying. It's too bad, because they can really sing.

I have my eye on several of these people and will be pulling for them to make the top 24. I have already been touting Taylor Hicks and Paris Bennett, but I am now finding myself very impressed by Mandisa Hundley, a seasoned gospel singer from Antioch, TN. This girl is capable of pulling out all the stops and bringing it home to roost. She could be a contender, I think.
Based on all the camera time they have received, I am pretty sure that "Sway," Kellie Pickler, Lisa Tucker, Ace Young, David Radford, Ayla Brown, Patrick Hall, and Kevin Corvais will all make it. Those are all that I am almost certain of. There are always people that we have never seen before, though, and you just never know what's going to happen when it comes to this show.

So, tune in and check out the selection of the top 24. One of these people will be the next American Idol. You can't miss a minute now!

2006-02-12T10:48:00.000-08:00

Hooray for Hollywood

What’s next in the Idol audition process? Glad you asked! This week, the contestants will have a chance to see how well they “play with others.” It’s always a challenge for individual egos to combine with those of people whom they do not know and who are, in fact, the competition. Some do okay, while others fall flat on their faces. This is not a random exercise. In fact, the ability to sing with a group of people is pretty important considering that the finalists will have to perform together during the competition and also once the tour begins.

Last year, you may recall, Scott Savol acted out during this round, labeling himself forever as a troublemaker. Constantine tried to choreograph his groups’ moves, much to the dismay of dancer Dezmond Meeks who ultimately did not make the cut. Anwar Robinson showed his teaching skills, working patiently with his group, which included Mario Vasquez (whatever happened to Mario), and Scotty managed, somehow, to slip through despite his group’s rather poor performance.

Wednesday’s show will most likely be what I like to call the “chopping block” show. They divided the remaining contestants into three or four groups and sequester them in separate rooms. Then the judges visit each room and either cut them from the competition or tell them they will advance. It’s always dramatic, and often controversial. By Wednesday, I know I will have a lot of the names down, and certainly will be watching for my favorites (Paris Bennett, Lisa Tucker, and Taylor Hicks, to name three). Will your favorites make it? Did the big bad Brittenum twins actually make the cut? How will the show handle the twins’ legal woes? Stay tuned, it will all be revealed… in time!

Taylor Hicks CD Available Online

If you already dig Taylor Hicks, and want to hear some of his original music, you are in luck. His CD, Under the Radar, is available from Laser's Edge Compact Disc. Click here to sample three of the tracks from the CD. Taylor is smokin'!

2006-02-07T20:11:00.000-08:00

Idol Auditions Over... Finally!

At last, the auditions are over and we move on to the Hollywood rounds. I love this part of the competition because we finally have a chance to see the good singers and watch the final 24 shake out. It's been a long, long three weeks, but I am happy to report that I have identified my early favorite.

And it is... Taylor Hicks! Taylor, who just turned 29, was one of the few bright spots in the otherwise abysmal Austin auditions. Taylor, you may recall, was the final person to sing for the judges and his bluesy, rather unconventional style was interesting. But it was his gray hair that really got him noticed.

I did a little digging, and discovered that while Taylor may have told Simon that he auditioned because he wanted his voice heard, he is far from being a novice in the music business. Taylor has been performing throughout the south and has performed with the likes of James Brown, Tom Petty, Jackson Browne, Drive by Truckers, and Robert Randolph. Prior to auditioning for Idol, Taylor was collaborating with contemporary blues artist Keb Mo.

Last week, I found his band's website, which still had a list of upcoming appearances, pictures and other interesting tidbits. But the site is currently "down" with the message, "Check back soon and see what happens... and in the meantime, Taylor appreciates your support!" I say that's a good indication that he's made the top 24, don't you? I liked this guy, and it doesn't hurt that he's from Birmingham! Ruben, Bo, and now Taylor. Will he make it? There's only one way to find out, and that's to tune in to Idol tonight at 8:00 p.m.!

2006-02-05T09:07:00.000-08:00

George Huff News

The nominees for the 37th Annual GMA Music Awards were announced on February 1, and it’s good news for George Huff who was nominated for two awards. His album, Miracles, was nominated for Urban Album of the year and the single, “Brighter Day,” for Urban Recorded Song of the Year.

Several other Idols were nominated for awards including Carrie Underwood (Country Recorded Song of the Year for "Jesus Take the Wheel") and Clay Aiken (Special Event Album of the Year for Wow Christmas Green on which he sang "Mary Did You Know"). The awards ceremony, which is being hosted by Kirk Franklin and Rebecca St. James, will take place on April 5, 2006 at the Grand Ole Opry.

George will be appearing at several events surrounding the All-Star Basketball game in Houston and will be returning to his hometown in New Orleans on March 11 to appear as part of the Franklin Graham Crusade. He will also be riding on a float in the Mardi Gras Parade on February 28. He is also hoping to be included as part of a European tour in April with the Armed Forces.

2006-02-04T11:46:00.000-08:00

They Hate Me, They Really Hate Me!!!

One of the things that makes American Idol such a unique experience is the fervor of contestants' fans. Even now, fan clubs are forming for this year's group, and viewers are lining up to back their favorites. Once the season ends, fans get even more intense, promoting "their" Idol and defending this person on various forums and message boards.

As a journalist (and I really am a journalist), it is sometimes hard to draw the line. I have my own favorites, and certainly use my outlets as a means to promote them. I make no secret of that. But I am also capable of putting on a journalist's "hat," and reporting facts as facts.

Someone forwarded me a link to a Carrie Underwood fan site . It seems that they have decided that I hate Carrie and point out this week's Chartwatch column as evidence. Carrie's CD dropped from #2 to #7 on the Billboard 200, and for whatever reason, they took umbrage to this. I did not report this news with glee, nor did I sugar coat it. Perhaps I should have written, "The CD floated like a delicate butterfly to the 7th spot." How else does one report this?

They were also angry that I ignored the fact that Bo's CD is tanking. I did not. In fact, I noted that the CD dropped 32 spots this week on the Billboard 200. No way to get around that. I like Bo, but I am not crazy about The Real Thing. I have made no secret of that either.

I do not hate Carrie but I am not crazy about some of her fans. Carrie is a beautiful young woman who has a lovely voice and who is making headways into a genre that is perfect for her. I wish her all the success in the world. However, her fans can hurt her more than help. I have said this before, and I will say it again. This kind of fan behavior biases journalists against the person they are promoting. I know Carrie has nothing to do with this, but I can't forget what they write and say about me. Right or wrong, this taints my impressions of her.

Do yourselves a favor. Really read what people write and then be careful what you say about them. We read your posts too, and it could backfire on you. What more do you people want? She won, and her CD is working on triple platinum. I am happy for her, and despite what you think, I didn't want Bo to win.

Give me a break. I am a fan too.

2006-02-04T11:40:00.000-08:00

Austin Auditions

Yikes! Can Idol stoop any lower? I say this every year, I know, but I can't recall a season where the audition shows were any more contrived. Austin was the last straw for me. It was made even worse by the fact that I had to write the recap of it. Just plain stupid. The teasers at the end of the show promised talent in Boston. I certainly hope so!

I did like Rickey Hayes (right), and hope to see him advance. We shall see.

Las Vegas Auditions

I'd like to list my "picks" from Vegas, but unfortunately, there really aren't any. Mecca Madison, the belly dancer, was the only one who might have a prayer of making the top 24. What a total waste of time. Oh well, on to Austin!

San Francisco Auditions

What can I say? This show was just plain tormenting! Simon has a hissy fit. Whaaaa. People who can't sing think they can. People who know they are bad audition for kicks and giggles. Blah. I can't stand it.

The only good thing to come out of this show is Katherine McPhee, a pretty girl with a stage mom who has coached her to victory. Katherine sang "God Bless the Child" and removed all hideous memories of Mikalah Gordon's rendition of this song last year. That was a good thing. Katherine is poised, with a good, solid voice and a pleasant personality. She is poised, and very comfortable onstage, and should make it to the top 24 at least.

Otherwise, I am left to wonder... where are the guys? Jose "Sway" was okay, but didn't knock me out. Maybe they are saving the good guys to show us in the Hollywood rounds. I sure hope so.

Vegas next week, and then, hopefully Boston.

2006-01-28T10:05:00.000-08:00

Claymates Circle the Wagons

While I take anything published by the National Enquirer with a grain of salt and certainly don't want to perpetuate the story that is circulating, I do think that it is at least worthy of comment. You've heard it by now, of course. A former Army Ranger is claiming that he spent a wild night with Clay, and says he has evidence to prove it. The story has been picked up by a variety of sites, but so far, no credible news outlets have published it. There is, after all, no proof, nor is this story really all that newsworthy - at least outside the realm of the Idol kingdom.

The Claymates have, of course, circled the wagons, defending their man, and showing their support by flocking to Amazon.com and buying Clay's CDs. His sales on the site have jumped remarkably, and fans are posting glowing reviews of the CDs as a counter-measure against this rather sordid affair (no pun intended). They sure do love their man Clay, their mantra being that since Clay has repeatedly said he is straight, that's good enough for them.

But what if Clay actually is gay? And if so, what will happen if this story is the final straw and prompts him to come out? Will the fundamental Christians that form the core of his fan base abandon him ? Could they possibly balance their belief that homosexuality is a sin with their love for Clay? Or will their adoration for him help them to broaden their minds and question their long-held beliefs?

So far, there is a lot of denial going on, and while there are reports that Claymates have actually threatened the individual who is claiming to have had this tryst with Clay, the general attitude seems to be that if they ignore it, it will simply go away. Somehow, though, I rather doubt this is going to go away any time soon. If, and I say if because I don't want to incur the wrath of the Clay Nation any more than I already have, Clay is gay, maybe it's time that he does come out. It is a difficult burden for anyone to bear, especially for someone who is so much in the public eye. Sure, he would lose some of his fans, but I think he would gain new ones. He has nothing to lose and freedom to gain.

Clay has sold millions of CDs and has certainly plumped up his bank account considerably. He doesn't really need to work at all, and has stated on more than one occassion that he would be perfectly content to go back to teaching. He has his foundation and work with UNICEF, both of which could certainly keep him very busy. If (again that conditional if) he wanted to live his life as an openly gay man, he really could do so. He could perform benefit shows or even do a show in Vegas ala Celine Dion. People would still pay to hear him sing, and he would no longer have to live in fear of being outed.

I suspect that there is a lot of damage control and strategizing going on right now, and it would be the perfect time for him to come out. His fans might be more sympathetic and accepting in the face of this ugly story. Of course, they might also feel betrayed, but so what. I don't care, that's for sure, and I suspect that there are millions of people who feel the same way. Clay is a brilliant artist and a decent human being. Who he sleeps with is none of my business. Personally, I would respect him more if he did come out.

It will be interesting to see how this unfolds.

2006-01-27T17:08:00.000-08:00

Who’s That Girl???

Why it’s the not-so-lovely Rhonetta Johnson, late of American Idol. Rhonetta, you may remember, auditioned in Greensboro, NC and ended up cussing out Paula something fierce. According to several reports, the actual argument that elicited her string of cussing, was edited out from the show.

Rhonetta is no stranger to trouble. Last summer, she was arrested in Charlotte and charged with DWI, driving with a revoked license, open container, and “providing fictitious information to an offer.” Then, in November, she was arrested again for all of the above plus larceny, disorderly conduct, communicating threats, and resisting arrest. Isn’t she special!

Zachary Travis Update (Who?)

By the way, I had an e-mail today from a friend who told me the following:

This week's "People" has a few profiles of some of the "AI5" rejects. One is
Zachary Travis, the "is that a dude or a chick?" contestant. He says, "I am
whatever you want me to be. If you think I'm a boy, I'm a boy. If you think
I'm a girl, I'm a girl. I don't make it a big issue. And, yeah, when I can
afford it, I want to get the operation."

Oooookay!

2006-01-26T20:07:00.000-08:00

Brittenum Twins Out on Bail

Derrell and Terrell Brittenum, late of American Idol, are free. They were released on Sunday on $30,000 bail (each), and were on their way to Hollywood to find out if they had made the cut when they were contacted by the show's producers and told that they had been disqualified. No surprise there.

The twins were guests on an Atlanta radio station on Monday, and apologized to the show's audience, saying that they were sorry for the mistakes they'd made. "They were saying that in order to be a real 'American Idol' you have to go through trials and tribulations and you have to be someone who didn't have it easy. In the hip-hop world, a bit of controversy doesn't hurt." No kidding!

The station's DJ, Frank Ski, co-host of WVEE-FM's "Frank & Wanda in the Morning" show was so impressed by the duo, that he called Jermaine Dupri's So So Def label. The twins were signed on the spot.

Their lawyer, Marcus Bennett, will be meeting with the district attorney later this week to discuss the charges pending against these two.

2006-01-25T20:28:00.000-08:00

American Idol 5 - San Francisco Auditions

What can I say? This show was just plain tormenting! Simon has a hissy fit. Whaaaa. People who can't sing think they can. People who know they are bad audition for kicks and giggles. Blah. I can't stand it.

The only good thing to come out of this show is Catherine McPhee, a pretty girl with a stage mom who has coached her to victory. Catherine sang "God Bless the Child" and removed all hideous memories of Mikalah Gordon's rendition of this song last year. That was a good thing. Catherine is poised, with a good, solid voice and a pleasant personality. She is poised, and very comfortable onstage, and should make it to the top 24 at least.

Otherwise, I am left to wonder... where are the guys? Jose "Sway" (shown at left) was okay, but didn't knock me out. Maybe they are saving the good guys to show us in the Hollywood rounds. I sure hope so.

Vegas next week, and then, hopefully Boston.

2006-01-24T17:25:00.000-08:00

Donna's Picks from Greensboro!

This year, Idol traveled to North Carolina, home of Clay Aiken and Fantasia. Will they find this year's winner in NC? It's too early to tell, but there were certainly some contestants with potential. Here's what's up:

Kellie Pickler - Kellie is 19, and has a hard luck story that is worthy of Lifetime TV. Her mother abandoned her when she was just 2-years old, and her father is a drug addict currently in prison. Kellie lives with her elderly grandfather and works as a waitress at a drive-in, complete with roller skates.

Kellie sang Kelly! She did a great job on "Since U Been Gone" and followed that up with a couple of bars from "Broken Road." Kellie got the nod, and is certainly someone to watch.

Not much information on Kellie, other than she sang at the grand opening of the Albemarle Wal-Mart in August. So, she's not a pro. I am betting that my former co-worker (who picked Carrie out from the start) is going to love Kellie!

Then there was Kendra Winston, a bright, funny and personable young woman with just enough drama in her life to make her a standout. Her voice is good but it's her personality that gives her an edge. Kendra participated in Triad Idol, but didn't place. That's about all I could find on her. I love undiscovered talent!

But nothing prepared me for Paris Bennett. Nothing. I have been watching these endless auditions for years, and I have to say, this is the best audition I have ever witnessed. Watching her made it all worth while! This girl could well be the next American Idol. She's that good. Her grandmother is Ann Nesby from the Sounds of Blackness. Paris has a sweet, perfectly pitched voice and her Billie Holiday song knocked me out. Look out for this one. She could go all the way!

But where are the guys? Not one worth mentioning? They must be holding back on us!

I realize that there are dozens of people who made it through, and we only saw a handful of them on this show. I still resent having to sit through two hours of stupidity to see three or four that are worth watching. And I know I'm not alone. A lot of people are getting tired of this format, and I am betting that the inclusion of a few more good auditions would make viewers, including me, very happy!

2006-01-24T16:46:00.000-08:00

Brittenum Twins Reported to Have Signed Record Deal

R&B Station V-103 in Atlanta is reporting that Derrell and Terrell Brittenum, late of American Idol, more recently at odds with the law, have been signed to a deal with Jermaine Dupri and So So Def. So far, there is no confirmation on So SO Def's site, but if it's true, it's a smart move by Dupri. These guys are good, and although not Idol material, will certainly get some attention working with Dupri.

It's a good match actually. I loved their old-school groove and great harmony, and was reminded of R&B legends Sam and Dave. I wish them well. You know, they could do even better than they would have had they actually gotten on the show. At least they can sing together now. Now all they have to do is get out of jail.

2006-01-21T17:37:00.000-08:00

Idol 5 Tour #37 on List of Top 100 Concerts for 2005

Pollstar Online has released the list of top-grossing tours for 2005, and American Idols Live came in at #37 on the list. The tour grossed $16.9 million with an average attendance of 9,026 per venue. To put this into perspective, season three’s tour didn’t make the list at all, and season two was also #37.

The Rolling Stones topped the list, grossing $162 million with U2 in second place with $138.9 million. The Idols were essentially tied with Bob Dylan, who also grossed $16.9. Not bad, eh?

2006-01-21T09:42:00.000-08:00

January 21 - New Idol Controversy

American Idol is no stranger to controversy, and it seems that this season, which kicked off less than a week ago, is already drowning in it! Following last week’s premiere, the Gay And Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLADD) requested a meeting with the show’s producers regarding remarks made by Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson.

On Tuesday’s show, Cowell told contestant Charles Berry, "Shave off your beard and wear a dress." Then, on Wednesday, Randy asked Zachary Travis (shown above at right), "Are you a girl?" These comments prompted a deluge of e-mails and phone calls, and on Friday, GLAAD asked for a meeting producers and Fox to discuss the series.

GLAAD spokesperson Damon Romine told 365Gay.com, "GLAAD is reaching out to the show's producers to discuss our concerns and the concerns of community members and allies who have contacted us about this matter." He expressed concern about the show adding “insult to injury by turning a contestant's gender expression into the butt of a joke."

Zachary Travis received a great deal of attention on the show, which featured the Denver auditions. Travis, who acknowledges that he is often mistaken for a female, expressed his feeling that the show is racist, and that free expression of one’s sexuality is not acceptable in America.

2006-01-20T15:39:00.000-08:00

January 20 - American Idol Update - Bad News for the Brittenum Twins

Looks like we’ve got our first Idol scandal of the year. While millions of us were watching twins Terrell and Derrell Brittenum’s Chicago auditions on Tuesday from the comfort of home, Terrell was probably not able to watch at all. Nope.

On Tuesday, a night that should have been an evening of triumph, Terrell was in jail in Rockdale County, GA, after having been charged with forgery, theft by deception, and financial identity fraud after the 28-year old twins bought a 2005 Dodge Magnum in June. Allegedly, the brothers used another man's identity to buy the car. Not good for a prospective Idol!!!

Derrell is still on the lam! According to Steve Shular, of the Shelby County Tennessee sheriff’s department, there is a warrant out for Derrell. "We're still looking for him. We've been to his home, and we're looking on the streets,” Shular said. Derrell was supposed to turn himself in on the 19th.

ETA Derrell turned himself in yesterday, and the twins' story was featured on the Today show this morning.

Of course, no one from Idol is talking, and we have no idea how they will handle this during the shows that cover the Hollywood round. Both twins made the cut, and since the Hollywood rounds are pre-taped, certainly they must be featured in the footage. But there's no way that they can become semi-finalists with this hanging over their heads. Too bad, because they were really good. So much for my "picks" from Chicago.

The Real Thing Moves up in the Charts

I am starting to put together this week's "Chartwatch" article for Foxes on Idol, and of course, the first thing I check on the Billboard chart is Bo's CD, The Real Thing. Well, guess what? This week, the CD moved up six spots to #46. That's great news! Still no Bo single, though, but airplay for "The Real Thing" is picking up. No more hints, though. You'll just have to read the article on Monday!

January 19 - Denver Auditions

American Idol rolled into Denver, and last night's show gave us the best and worst of that city. One thing I've noticed is that no matter where the city, people are traveling from all over the country to audition. It's not just the locals anymore, that's for sure. Lots of bad, bad, bad, again, but there were certainly some gems. I picked four out of the Denver crew as people to watch.

I was particularly impressed by 16-year old Lisa Tucker from Anaheim, CA. She was named to Variety's "Ten Top Teens to Watch," and proved it in her spectacular audition. Of course, I Googled her immediately and discovered that she competed as a Junior Singer on Star Search in February 2003. She didn't make it through her round. She is also on One Point Records' website, and there's also a link to a review of a production of the Lion King in which she appeared. I say Miss Tucker is one to watch!

I was also impressed by Chris Daughtry, the good husband from NC. Here's a link to his bio on his band's (Absent Element) website.

Then there's Ace Young. Paula has already singled him out as a heartthrob, and fans have set up a website. He has this "Mario" vibe going on, and if he makes the cut, will be very popular with the ladies. And we all know that the ladies, especially the young ones, have a big say in the outcome. Of course, having Paula's endorsement doesn't hurt either.

My final pick of the night is Rochelle Dye, the gal who is about to be evicted from her cousin's apartment after having been evicted from her own. Rochelle really needs to get through to the semis! I can't find anything on her, though, but that doesn't mean I will stop trying.

And that's what I think.

January 18 - American Idol 5, The Chicago Auditions

Welcome to Season five of the most popular show on TV... well, at least that's what Ryan tells us. The show opens with Ryan on the stage at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, where, he reminds us, just eight months ago, Carrie Underwood was named the fourth American Idol.

We start out in Chicago, and as usual, the good are interspersed with the bad, but it seems to me that there are actually more good than bad, at least early on. Already, I have identified several people who could really go all the way. Terrell and Derrell Brittemun, twins who sing great together and just as well by themselves. They're going to Hollywood.

Gina Glockson, a dental assistant who sings in an all-girl band at night, kicks butt singing "Power of Love," with a special little shout-out to Simon. And there is Mandisa Hunley who did a lovely rendition of "Fallin'." So it's looking good for Chi-Town.

But the bad begins to wear on me, and I totally lose interest. My friend Barbara said it best. These shows are like going to the movies and sitting through two hours of previews. I'm here to see the movie, already!!!

At I don't have to write the recap for this show, so I am just playing... hanging out on the Idol boards, and not paying a whole lot of attention. I am noticing a lot of guys serenading Paula. I guess it's worked before.

So, tonight, we move on to Denver, and suffer through more, although I think it will only be one hour.