Halfway through tonight’s American Idol results show, a smile broke out on Simon Scowl’s face as he uttered, “I’m beginning to sense something.” The smile lingered all the way through a boring performance by Martina McBride to the long awaited moment of truth. The bottom three contestants, Sanjaya, Lakisha, and Blake, stood a center stage awaiting their fate. Seacrest milked the moment by making a big deal out of telling Blake that he had survived another week, and then it was down to two. And then it came—America had voted and Sanjaya was finally going home!
Hallelujah!
After that, Simon exuded happiness as I’d never seen from him before.
Not to look a gift horse in the mouth or anything, but I have to wonder whether the Howard Stern minions (the lemmings) have shifted their protest voting attention from Sanjaya to Chris. After all, Chris was awful on Tuesday, arguably second worst only to Sanjaya’s crappy performance. It didn’t make sense that Blake, not Chris was in the bottom three.
Be that as it may, the competition gets fairer from now on. The remaining six are all pretty normal, although the men are significantly less talented than the women. At this point, it looks like Jordin and Melinda in the final, unless Lakisha can step up to the plate and hit a home run. Without Sanjaya, this mindless entertainment gets a little more interesting.
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I must disagree on a couple of points. You say that the remaining six are all “pretty normal.” Is that a plus? One reason the public ate up the Sanjaya story was because he broke from the norm. “Normal” often makes for dull entertainment.
One other point re: “Without Sanjaya, this mindless entertainment gets a little more interesting.”
This relates to my first point–I think without Sanjaya creating supsense (and laughs) on AI, the show will become less interesting, not more. Let’s face it, the singers are all pretty pedestrian, even Melinda Doolittle. That’s part of the problem with much of today’s popular music. Sanjaya may not have had much vocal ability, but he knew how to entertain. If vocal ability was a requirement for most of today’s pop singers their rank would diminish considerably.
In the meantime, see you next week for more AI!
You’re entitled to your opinion, as if I wouldn’t get it without entitlement. However, I have the following to say to you:
Take a load off Fanny
Take a load for free
Take a load off Fanny
anddddddddddd/aaaaaaaannnnnnnd/aaaaaaaaaaaaadn…..
ya put the load right on me!
—TNT
Hi Turkey.
Why didn’t Ryan introduce Paula, too?
Cause she’s hammered.
Not a terrible performance.
Actually, I played it back and it was just that his microphones cut out when he said Paula Abdul.
Wow. Simon gave Chris more praise than I expected.
I’m still catching up, so I’ll see what’s not terrible now.
Oh! I guess Paula’s not too “hammered” then?
Yeah, I agree. Not bad. Good enough to keep him around another week.
Aiiight….so yo Chris!
OK, I’m caught up.
Cool…I can “give back” while trolling for underage girls on MySpace.com!
Melinda’s dress flatters her for a change, and her hairstyle negates the no-neck look. Good job by the wrecking crew.
I find this number too Gospelesque, though. I was driven to distraction. Ho-hum.
Awww….
This is so predictable. Too bad Melinda didn’t pick a song that was a bit more original, one that would have stretched her a bit.
It probably was better than Faith Hill’s version–wouldn’t be hard.
I want to protest the judges’ glowing assessment.
Meowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
I mean Faith Hill: Talk about the most mediorce singer. She’s the mediocre of the mediocre.
Beg to differ, this isn’t a “chick” thing. I’ve never gotten why the masses are into singers like Hill.
I wondered when someone was going to do Imagine.
Never liked this song. It’s a guy thing.
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrooowwwwwwwwwwwwwl
Andandadn….Blake bites the big one!
This is a bit of an inauthentic performance.
Karaoke.
Paula must be hammered.
What do you mean, “a guy thing?” Imagine was written by guy and I’ve known many guys who love it.
This is a “Turkey” thing.
No, it’s einen Dudenthingen.
Lakisha would’ve done justice to the Lennon song.
Wonder what she’ll choose.
“One” by U2?
Una cosa de los hombres.
“One” by Three Dog Night.
Yeah, well I never liked Fantasia. It’s a guy thing.
I’m not familiar with this song.
This is a better performance from her than what we’ve been seeing lately.
Lakisha is is back!
Started out like she was not going to be improving, but she picked it up and made it real yo yo
Spit it out, Paula.
Awww shut up, Paula!
Thanks to Simon for keepin’ it real.
I disagree with Simon–I didn’t hear her shouting.
Oh, boy…is Phil next?
Ohhh, Phil’s coming up. I think he’s the performer with the most at stake tonight. He’s got to step up.
Of course she was shouting! She always shouts! It’s part of that damn gospel big voice thing. They’re all trying to be Aretha and there’s only one Aretha.
Oh boy! Channel 35 News teaser: teacher having sex with student. Wonder if there’s any real news to report on.
Phil’s got TWO white bracelets. Wonder if Simon will pipe up about that?
Phil’s sticking with country. Smart move.
OK…we have a new leader! Phil gonna be joining Chloe and Mikhala in Oklahoma after this week!
I like gospel. True, Franklin was one of a kind.
Not a terrible performance from Phil but the song sucks.
P.S. I didn’t mean it when I referred to Garth Brooks as “country.” Garth’s music is pablum.
Well, Blake’s “Imagine” was worse.
His best ain’t good enough.
I agree with Simon.
That’s his wife, Pia Zadora.
Jordin’s my girl. She can do no wrong.
I’m looking forward to hearing from Jordin.
Are you sure tonight’s show is two hours? I thought it was tomorrow night.
I interviewed Pia Zadora back in the eighties.
I guess you’re right about that. Good. I get to watch House.
When she was married to Meshulem Riklis?
Is that show as good as they say it is?
This commercial makes me sick. Can you imagine sitting next to this dork with a greaseburger on a packed flight?
Sorry. No knowledge of the hubby’s name.
Yuck.
House is pretty funny. It’s the character, not the story.
He was CEO of Mobil Oil.
I read today that Simon is now richer than Paul McCartney.
But that might have been way back in the 60s or early 70s.
Yeah, right.
Meshulam Riklis (born 1923) is a businessman. He was married to Pia Zadora in 1977 and helped launch her film career. He and Zadora bought and demolished the Los Angeles landmark home Pickfair to build their own larger home on the site. They divorced in 1993. He once owned the Riviera hotel and casino in Las Vegas and the McCrory Stores, as well as the Fabergé line of cosmetics. Riklis pioneered the idea of coporate mergers in the U.S. Famously sold his stake in the Carnival Cruise Line to Ted Arison for $1.
You showed me!
Yes, I guess she was married to him then.
Hope she does it better than Jerry Lewis.
WOMan of LaMancha.
I don’t care for the trilling. The song doesn’t need it.
This is a horrible performance for her. Better luck next week.
She’s getting better, now. Very believable.
She’s starting to shout.
No, not her best at all.
Come on, Randy. You’ve got to be kidding???? Unreal.
Randy’s fulla shit.
Paula’s fulla shit.
Simon, please bring us back to reality.
I guess not.
Simon’s fulla shit.
They hear it differently there on stage. We know better.
OK, so Melinda won this week. Blake lost.
So, who is going home this week?
I say it’s between Blake and Lakisha.
Maybe Chris. He really deserves to go this week.
It’s between Blake and Chris.
Chris did well and he’s cute. So he’ll stay.
Lakisha gave a better performance than Jordin.
Blake bit the biggun.
No, I don’t think so…but yes, he will stay.
Lakisha? Nahhhhhh…the lead singer in the church choir thing don’t git it for me.
Blake? No, he’ll go.
Bono tomorrow night.
Blake’s gone. Git used to the ideer. He be gone, man!
Bono? Cool!
What will the “biggest shock” be?
Maybe it will be Babs–The Streisand?
That would be Sonny?
Ewwwwwwwwwwwwww…no Streisand. Maybe it will be Kelly Clarkson.
Or Britney performing with Sanjaya.
No, they’ve already announced Clarkson. They’re making it out to be a big surprise. It’s got to be a Streisand or a Madonna or a Sting?
Maybe they’ll bring Sinatra back from the dead?
Luciano Pavarotti has been sick, so probably not him, but maybe Ray Stevens.
Until the morrow, Ben.
Have a good night with Dr. House.
OK, I mo take the garbage out. Seeya tomorrow night, Redhead!
Hey Turkey,
Thought you might enjoy this blog post from Hal Boedeker at the Orlando Sentinel:
Keeping it real … “American Idol” could help beautify the planet by urging its contestants to stop blaring and wailing. In Tuesday’s installment, the six finalists selected songs that inspired them. Some of the performers offered VERY LOUD renditions, which made you wonder how those songs could have inspired them.
Let us start at the end with Jordin Sparks, who turned the volume way up on “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” I believe Jordin is going to win this competition, because she is young, spirited and dazzlingly talented. She also looked every inch the star in a stunning dress. But …
I can’t agree with Randy Jackson that this was one of the best vocals in the show’s history. And I can’t agree with Simon Cowell that it was fantastic. Jordin’s phrasing wasn’t great, and she took unnecessary liberties with the melody.
Bad move. Richard Rodgers wrote one of the all-time-great songs. You don’t mess with the melody. And you don’t send that melody roaring through the stratosphere.
Deliver it simply, Jordin. Defy those ear-blasting trends in the music industry. Be an “Idol” who brings some sense to American singing.
But Jordin wasn’t as LOUD as LaKisha Jones, who could have competed with rocket engines when she delivered “I Believe.” The judges knocked LaKisha for not being as good on the song as Fantasia. That wasn’t the main problem. I think LaKisha stands a good chance of going home Wednesday because America wants to save its hearing.
Then there was Phil Stacey, who gave a noisy version of Garth Brooks’ “The Change.” The judges agreed that Phil was back in the competition. Good for him. But didn’t he sound a bit like Michael Bolton? And you know how Mike likes to test everyone’s eardrums.
Yes, Phil, follow the judges’ advice to do more country. But study Willie Nelson and Patsy Cline. Note the absence of SCREAMING.
It was a relief that Blake Lewis decided to sing “Imagine” simply, sincerely and softly. Blake’s sound reminds me of George Michael, and that’s no criticism. Blake is smooth, professional, steady. Frankly, I appreciate Blake all the more because he doesn’t try to shout off the roof.
Chris Richardson served up “Change the World” by Eric Clapton. The judges were saying it was great, fantastic and sexy. The best part: It was mostly soft. Yes, Chris did get carried away a bit at the end. And he may not be as smooth as Blake. But let’s give it up for a singer who refused to stun us with his pipes.
That leaves Melinda Doolittle, who performed “There Will Come a Day.”
“A vocal master class,” Cowell said. “Just great,” Jackson said. Totally right, I say.
Melinda has control. She understands phrasing. She balances the loud with the soft. When she goes loud, her singing is still bearable. She was the true champ Tuesday even as the judges were falling all over Jordin.
Yes, I see Jordin’s coronation coming. And yet, Melinda knows that doing a little can mean the most. Follow her lead, “American Idol.” Help save America’s ears.
Here’s how I score them for Tuesday night:
1. Melinda Doolittle
2. Blake Lewis
3. Chris Richardson
4. Jordin Sparks
5. Phil Stacey
6. LaKisha Jones
Didn’t Ryan Seacrest go hyperbolic Tuesday? In asking viewers to call in to support charities, he said, “This could be the most important call you ever make.”
Oh, brother. This is a TV show, buster.
At the end, Seacrest teased that Wednesday’s show would contain “one of the biggest shocks we’ve ever had on ‘American Idol.'”
Could it be that everyone will sing softly?
I think I’ve correctly guessed who the “big surprise guest” will be on tonight’s AI. Not a singer, but Bill Clinton!
And I hear that Slick Willy will be doing a duet with Sanjaya.
I just heard that Madonna will be on the show tonight.
And I also heard that AI producers are saying there will be a duet of monumental proportions.
Gee, Madonna and Sanjaya? That would be good!
What did I miss? I just tuned in and it’s the “group sing.”
I also predict that Oprah will be on tonight’s show.
I just got here and I’m catching up with the Tivo.
This new-age thing with a poor and suffering African child whose mother died is pathetic.
TV people are (most of them) so insincere.
This is the AI telethon minus Jerry Lewis (thank goodness).
You like totally missed Ellen DeGeneris.
And Earth, Wind & Fire (in their geriatric days).
Well, I can deal with missing Ellen even though she’s a cute kid.
I like EW&F.
Let’s skip to “Blake Gets the Axe”
And a taped interview with Ben Stiller.
Here we go with the finalists!
Lakisha is in the bottom three.
Of course, Melinda is safe–DUH!
They got 70 million votes last night.
Please call 1-877-IDOL-AID
I saw the Stiller thing. And just why do people think he’s funny?
I think Lakisha has a good chance of going home tonight. She or Blake–bye bye (I would vote for Blake to go home, personally).
Or, more appropriately, 1-900-KOOL-AID
Because his mom & dad are funny.
Who???
Man, I’m out of touch.
Who’s this guy?
And who’s this other guy? Is this like the four tenors, sort of?
I’m not caught up yet, but I’ll tell you when I get there. Then it will be a non-sequitur and you won’t know what the hell I’m talking about.
The Bobster just stuck his head in and said he liked these singers.
I have no idea who these guys are.
Well, at least they can really sing.
Yeah, well.
I’ve always liked this song–loved the West Side Story.
But can Dr. Phil?
Hey, Dr. Phil. I’m telling you, O is just around the corner!
I know you have a thing for the Oprah.
I just saw Jack Black in the audience.
She’s da bomb.
Yep, I was right. That was him.
Did you see School of Rock? The Bobster and I thought he was pretty funny in it.
This is lame.
Let’s move on.
Sanjaya’s in the audience…he’s got a sense of humor.
Yeah, I did the Seal. Love his tunes. Love his voice. Awesome.
Noooooooo! I meant I “dig” the Seal…..Not—-
Yikes. I meant “dig.”
Blake is in.
Bye bye Lakisha.
I love this tune. Not a bad version of Chrissie.
Lakisha disappointed me after having been my early favorite. Boedecker was right about the screaming. It wears me out.
I’m eating strawberries macerated in Grand Marnier. Eat your heart out.
So we’re in agreement that she’s getting the boot tonight?
I think that she and Blake were the only logical choices. If Blake is safe, that leaves Kiki.
Who listens to this crap?
That sucked.
Lots of people who don’t know any better.
I’d rather see Chris go home that Lakisha.
But they need the guy-power, I guess.
Not a good narration job.
This is a pretty boring show tonight.
Whatever, Paula looks great, Ryan.
She’s vertically and intellectually challenged.
Lotta commercials, though.
LeBron is a major character. Shaq? Jeez.
Miss Piggy is more like it.
At first I thought that was lame…but then I kinda liked it!
Phil safe. So what about Lakisha, Jordin, and Chris?
Goldie’s still hanging in there. It’s tough to get old.
Goldie at 60. I’d still do her.
Either Lakisha or Chris is going home.
I think Lakisha will be singing the swan song tonight.
She’s a little over my age range, though, but I’d make an exception.
So who do you think it will be tonight, Turkey?
In the meantime, they’re going to drag this out forever.
Ellen looks tired and wrung-out. Even nervous. Maybe the Oscars wore her out.
For
Ex-Idol
Ellen is very busy these days. She’s a hard worker.
Is this one of those Irish tenors or something?
The music tonight is lame.
The kids think it’s pretty funny.
Where the hell is Pink?
Pink will straighten this out.
Funny? Well, that’s one way of putting it.
More like BORINGGGGGGGG>
Maybe Pink and Madonna will duet.
This guy is the Celine Dion of male singers.
A veritable plethora of lame-ass music tonight. Lotta hype. Lotta bullshit. I’d rather be watching Ted Mack’s Original Amateur Hour.
Commercial break.
Okay, when they come back on they really need to kick things into gear!
Can we have the results, please, so we can end our misery and I can get back to work, ferchrissakes!!
Ditto.
There’s still 43 minutes of this crap.
Telling that most of their guest stars were on tape.
VISA can take a plain jane and make her into…
…a plain jane.
So, lift the ban on DDT and we’ll take care of malaria. Cheaply.
Your Vermeer book looks good on my coffee table. I think I’ll keep it for a while.
Is that Jeff Beck?
Is this Kelly Clarkson?
This is Kelly Clarkson.
That’s terrible, Turkey.
And that’s Jeff Beck.
Why? You want your book back?
That is Jeff Beck!
Let’s see..a real musician and artist and he gets zero billing.
Real values there.
Well, Ellen called him “The Legendary Jeff Beck.”
Take your time with the book, Turkey! Glad you’re enjoying it…as I am the book on Paul Desmond that you leant me a dozen years ago.
“Legendary” means he’s older than Ellen and I.
Oh, didn’t hear Ellen. I guess that makes it okay.
):
I’ve never been a Simpsons fan. What about you?
Nahhhhh….I only like Maggie.
Only 28 minutes of this crap left.
I say Chris should go.
Bye bye Chris….
You’re changing your tune frequently.
Yeah, well…I mentioned him earlier!
I say let’s buy the kids a bunch of Uzis.
I’m actually glad Lakisha stayed. She’s way better than Chris.
OH NO….NOT CELINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is max-lame.
This is the lamest of the lame.
Bring back Dick Clark and American Bandstand. OH WHY Can’t my dreams come true?
OH WHY????!
Send Celine back to Canuckland.
This does make me miss Elvis
(though I liked the pre-Army young Elvis).
I guess Elvis was the original AI.
But still…ick.
She does the lip-quiver almost as good as ol’ JelloLips, Julia Roberts.
The chillllllllllllllllllllllllllllldren.
And that was it for Madonna.
Madonna used to be so cool…so original.
I think it’s good that she’s doing what she feels is right.
But I just can’t stand her anymore. What a pretender.
only 18 minutes – time for Chris’ swan song.
Where the hell is Pink?
She’s Madonna! Why all of a sudden does she feel she has to copy Angelina?
Oh dear…
I want Mick and Keith?
And where the heck is Bono?
Only 16 more minutes…please, let it be over soon.
Larry King said that Seacrest would be a good replacement for him when he retires.
I don’t believe that amount. Not from tonight’s proceeds anyway.
Poor Ellen. She’s phoning this one in. Obviously she’s done zero prepping for this gig. Bet she’s sorry now.
Love the Annie Lennox!
I think this is going to be good.
Annie Lenox was “amazing” 20 years ago. She’s not amazing anymore.
Sorry, Annie…but you blow.
She’s in danger of fallout.
Now, that was passionate! Right on!!!!!!
Thank God it’s over.
She may not hit the high notes like she used to but she’s still got it.
Can we have Pink? Like someone from recently? Like maybe 1997? Jesus Christ!
Where’s Bono? The “mentor” of the evening as they said last night.
She’s got it, alright… age, wisdom, and a low cut dress.
Yes, this is a good cause but this show has been so contrived and shoddily compiled. What an insult to everyone.
I thought she looked great. Better than Goldie.
Can we have Pink? Please?
Please…bring this show to an end.
Was Elvis our big shocking surprise?
6 minutes
The big shock for me is that Blake and Lakisha are safe.
Oh, a big fucking surprise. Idol gives a gift.
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, the bottom TWO next week.
This makes perfect sense. I had thought it would be tacky to send someone home on a charity night.
Bono is so full of himself.
You weenie. See you next week! Thanks for the entertainment, Red.
BUT WHERE WAS PINK??????????????????
I’m really tired of rock stars who think they are out to save the world.
That’s one reason I love Mick and Keith–they’ve never pretended that they were for anyone but themselves. And their music has been better for it.
You, too, Turkey!
And yeah–what a rip off! They promised us Pink–what happened, people?
Keith might be snorting his dad, though.
Oh man, this is not so good. Enjoy it kids, it won’t last forever.
Just goes to show that when it comes to Keith, he bridges the “generation gap!”
Well, this isn’t so bad when the whole choir starts singing.
G’night Turkey!