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Alleged 'American Idol' semifinalist Michael Lynch disqualified
The St. Petersburg native -- who went by the moniker "Big Mike" during the American Idol audition process -- appears to have been disqualified from Idol's ninth season, the anonymous online spoiler known as Joesplace reported Friday.
I'm Baaaaaack!
While I'm sad Paula's gone, I couldn't be happier to have Ellen join Randy, Simon and that stupid new girl judge behind the table this season. Tonight is Final 24 night -- when the real competition begins -- and so far, I am psyched about this year's talent pool.
The song of choice seems to be Jason Mraz' "I'm Yours"
This is the toughest part of the whole contest -- as Ryan says, "with lives hanging in the balance" Take poor Big Mike Lynch with the newborn baby. UnrealityTV had him cut from the final 24 weeks before the first casting episodes aired.
And the poor girl who sung that Taylor Swift song -- WORSE than Taylor Swift.
So which will it be...
They're Baaaaaaack ...
- Lack of a tie breaker. During the pre-Hollywood auditions, how will they reconcile a 2-2 split on whether a contestant continues in the competition?
- Sister to Sister? Will Kara come to Paula's aid when Simon starts making fun of her?
- Will producers extend each episode to allow each of the judges to shower us with their wisdom?
- With whom will male contestants flirt?
That's all folks...
But the David duet – that was hot. They were standing in their truth. Seriously, they sound really good together….too bad they can’t both win. Or cannnn they? Boy, wouldn’t that be a surprise ending. Fox doesn’t have the balls, though. The CW would do it.
What about Paramount’s shameless plug of The Love Guru? I think it made me want to see the movie less.
OK, it’s 18 minutes into the show and I don’t see the stars…. Where are the stars???
Now Seal is a delicious piece of eye candy – don’t get me wrong—but his duet with Syesha of “Waiting for You”…. I don’t know dog, I just wasn’t feeling it. It was OK. It was all right but it wasn’t great. But could Seal’s white pants have been any tighter?
So Jason Castro doesn’t get a duet? And what about that back-handed introduction by Ryan …
OK, I know this is not the Super Bowl or even close to it, but you’d think with the potential viewership of multi millions, the commercials would be a little more entertaining. They’re not.
OMG – why are they doing this to Donna Summer’s song. They look like they’re in a really bad high school musical. I love to love Donna Summer – I’m glad she’s still got a career, but I don’t know about this new song – I wish she’s sing some of her old stuff … OK, the music gods have answered. “Last Dance” – that is my jam. Boy, Syesha’s getting a lot of air time – hmmm. And looking especially Beyonce-ish, first with the bootie shorts and then with the low-cut, tight red dress. Hey Sy- I hear these girls Kelly and Michelle are looking for a third.
The best thing about the finale show and dragging out all the losers (literally, not figuratively) is because it reassures voters that they made the right decision.
Chickezie didn’t show up until 46 minutes into the show. What do you think that means?
Bryan Adams. Bryan Adams. Bryan Adams. If you say his name three times while looking in the mirror, he’ll appear. Kinda like the Candy Man, only much scarier.
ZZ Top is performing. I’m turning the channel. Somebody tell me if Lil D was able to pull off a look of surprise when his name is announced.
That’s it for Idol 2008.
Let's Get Ready to Rumble?
So (and I apologize for playing into this theme) for Round One, the songs were chosen by none other than the career-maker himself, Clive Davis.
Note to Clive: How’s that Whitney comeback going?
David Cook sang U2’s “Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.” This is one of those songs that takes you back to Jordache jeans, Baby Jessica and Fatal Attraction. You can almost follow along with your own mini timeline.
But DC’s version needed its own subtitles --- I couldn't understand a word he was saying!
Young Cook, rocker he is. Bono, he is not.
Randy: copy cat. copy cat. Yo mama is a dirty rat. [were me and my friends the only ones who said that?] So now "Randy" is calling David Cook "DC."
Paula: We found David Cook. Whewwwww!
Simon: You looked very tense and very emotional but taking all that, I thought it was phenomenal.
Lil’ D: [silently praying: Don’t mess this up. Don’t mess this up.] This is one of my all time favorite songs – especially the cover duet by Elton John and my white baby daddy George Michael. And at times, the ambitious Archuleta seemed like he was singing a duet – by himself. Way to sing both parts Lil D. Is it possible? Could the baby-faced balladeer be channeling his inner Georgelton?
Randy: That was flawless and unbelievably molten hot. Crazy! [Repeat about 7 times]
Paula: I’ve got chills.
Simon: It’s very easy to get over excited tonight. I thought last week was OK. I thought tonight’s performance was arguably the best you’ve done so far. Taking everything into account, round one goes to Archuleta.
Round Two: America’s Choice. The guys sing songs submitted by songwriters from around the country. The top 10 were presented and the Davids could choose their favorite to sing.
David Cook sang a song called “Dream Big.” This is by far the most important song selection because these are unknown songs, and these guys can truly (as they say in the biz) make them their own. If I closed my eyes, I would have thought I was listening to an awards show performance or a video on VH1or a cosmetics commercial or one of those cheesy teasers for The Hills. My point is that this song was believable. It was hip and current. I could not have disagreed more with the judges. Does the “winning song” have to be dripping with sweetness and sap to be considered finale worthy?
Randy: not the best song, but your vocals were great
Simon: lightweight. This is supposed to be a winning song and that didn’t sound like a winner.
Paula [my favorite comment of the night]: But it wasn’t the winning song. Was it?
Lil D sang “In This Moment” which this lowly viewer thought was better suited for the ‘songs from the Olympics’ compilation CD than the American Idol finale.
Randy: song sucked but I still have a man crush on you and you can do no wrong [I’m paraphrasing]
Simon: You chose the better song. [I disagree] Round Two goes to Lil D.
I guess my answer to the sugar and sap question is a resounding yes. That song was so syrupy, it made my teeth hurt.
Round Three: contestants’ choice
Cookie (since Randy took my nickname) chose Collective Soul’s “The World I Know.” By default, he’s my favorite, but I have to offer this bit of criticism. Dave – this could be the very last song you sing for America (besides the shameless Idol tour you’ll be forced to participate in); I wanted to see you push yourself. Step outside your rockbox. Your most memorable performances were the ones where you put the DC spin on a non-rock classic. There was nothing to “spin” here. It was like Hillary’s win in West Virginia – nothing unexpected happened.
Randy: That was a very nice sensitive side
Paula: I know my anonymous readers want me to include her comments, but dude – she’s a Vicodin away from being a vegetable.
Simon: You are one of the nicest, most sincere contestants we’ve had. This was completely the wrong song choice; you should have sung “Billie Jean” (Michael Jackson) or “Hello” (Lionel Richie). [Exactly Simon! Exactly!]
But how about Cookie’s dig at Lil D – somebody’s been watching CNN J “Tonight isn’t about the past, so why do something I’ve already done.” SLAAAAM. In yo face Utah boy.
OK, we all know Utah boy is going to win by a TKO, but Cookie got in a good right hook.
So Lil D chose “Imagine.” Yes, when this little boy sings this song, it makes grown women start looking up the “age of consent” for their home state… But he could’ve given us something else. I would’ve loved to have heard him sing something more contemporary – not Chris Brown, but maybe John Mayer or some blue-eyed soul like Robin Thicke. Or John Legend.
Randy: You are exactly what this show is about. I think Randy is looking up the age…. Just kidding. Just kidding!
Paula: You were stunning tonight.
Simon: At the end of the day, this show is about finding a star, and tonight this is the best finals we’ve had. You came out here to win, but what we’ve witnessed is a knock out. [what I tell ya?]
The most satisfying part of the show was seeing Ruben Studdard get about 15 more minutes of fame. They owe him that.
