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The men “Carey” the women on “Idol”If you follow American Idol even half as close as I do, then two things must be true: you have a lot of free time, and you are already aware how much the men have been overshadowing the women this season. I have been trying to avoid talking about the guys too much because, frankly, I don't want any of them to win. But, alas, it seems unavoidable this week.
Photo credit: Michael Becker/FOX Idol has now endured its first true “ shock ” elimination as Michael Johns left the competition last week. But, I have a problem with the use of that word whenever someone undeserving receives the least votes. Let's face it, folks, all but one contestant will eventually be eliminated; there is no “shock” value in that fact. Michael, as good as he was, was not going to be this season's Idol, so I don't think a week or two's difference here or there in the elimination process makes much of a difference. But, onward to those who are still in the competition. As promised, Mariah Carey came back this week as the mentor, and I was thoroughly disappointed in the song choices by most of the contestants. Perhaps it was deemed “safer” to avoid some of Mariah's most popular singles, but I still wanted to hear them. Where was “Dreamlover” or “Against All Odds?” Oh well.
Photo credit: Michael Becker/FOX Starting off the show by singing one of the few recognizable songs was David Archuleta with “When You Believe,” and he was totally rockin' some leather (pleather?) pants. Simon gloated about knowing that David would choose this song, and I can't decide if that's a good thing for him or not. Regardless, it was definitely one of the best performances of the night. (Watch it here.) Next up: Carly Smithson singing “Without You.”
Photo credit: Frank Micelotta/FOX How cute was the mutual adoration between Mariah and Carly? (Answer: too cute!) Personally, I loved this performance. But I can't help but think I might be becoming too much of a groupie and losing my objective eye. The judges seemed fairly luke-warm to her, and Simon was almost downright harsh. Did we watch the same performance? I saw the restraint they mentioned, but thought it was necessary so as not to over-sing the song. Right? Help me out here, AfterEllen.com readers. After the requisite commercial break, Syesha Mercado sang “Vanishing,” which I had never heard before. You can watch her performance here, but with the exception of one particularly impressive note in the middle, I found it fairly boring. The judges pretty much agreed on the fact that she sang well, but were far from excited, and that means Syesha could be in trouble tonight.
Photo credit: Frank Micelotta/FOX Another personal favorite, Brooke White, tackled “Hero.” She started the performance off strong, and made a good decision on how to go about singing Mariah. She knew she couldn't hit the big notes, so she went “unplugged” and sang sans band. While overall a fairly good vocal, this was (sadly) one of the most cringe-worthy performances I have ever seen on American Idol. Brooke's visible nerves were difficult to watch. Watch how bad she shakes near the end when the camera tightly frames her face. The ridiculousness of the hamburger talk notwithstanding, I agreed with a lot of what the judges had to say. Brooke is smart enough to realize what she is and is not capable of singing. She arranged the song properly and adjusted the range accordingly, but I can't help but feel as though she is going to self-destruct any minute. Between the crying and the nerves and the constant criticism, I just don't know if she has the fortitude to go the distance in this competition.
Photo credit: Frank Micelotta/FOX Rounding out the back-to-back-to-back-to-back female performances was Kristy Lee Cook singing “Forever.”
Photo credit: Frank Micelotta/FOX Don't worry, Kristy Lee, I don't believe you gave Mariah Carey goose bumps, either. Kristy Lee has managed to avoid the bottom three last week, but is still the worst singer left in the competition. She completely lacks originality. Even on weeks where she sounds decent, her performances consist of nothing more than standing behind a microphone and squinting. The final two slots belonged to David Cook and Jason Castro. Singing “Always be My Baby,” David Cook produced what has become expected from him: a fairly unique and very well executed version of a well-known song. While some of his other arrangements have been versions that other artists have created first, he has consistently shown that he knows what works for him—and pulled it off beautifully. Recently, though, I have been put off by his displays of arrogance, so it was nice to see him show emotion at the end there. Jason Castro completed the male dominance with “I Don't Want to Cry,” and managed to make me completely forget that he was singing a song by Mariah Carey. I was thoroughly impressed. I think it's a no-brainer that the bottom three tonight will be all women, I can only pray to Simon that voters called in enough for Carly and Brooke. I predict Kristy Lee will finally go home tonight, because, well, it finally isn't really expected. Submitted by on April 16, 2008 - 1:10pm. |
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News, Reviews & Commentary on Lesbian and Bisexual women in Entertainment and the Media
"Mariah Carey" - Ken Lee
carolina,
speaking of Mariah Carey, check out this wonderful video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RgL2MKfWTo
It's a woman on the bulgarian Idol singing "Ken Lee".
Trust me, pretty funny stuff.
Oh yes.
Hah... I have seen that video before. She is right, kids. Very. Funny. Stuff.
LegallyOut
Tulibu Dibu Douchooo
I think I'm one of the few
Argh!
I can not stand David Archuleta or Jason Castro, they both bug me to absolutely no end. Ok granted I haven't watched AI from the beginning (I've been suckered into the last few weeks of episodes) but those guys just grate me the wrong way. I don't really feel ya on David Cook, he's a decent singer but for some reason his personality really bothers me.
My favorite guy was Michael and I think my favorite overall is Brooke just because she plays the type of music I would most likely listen to if she made a cd.
Can I just say how much I
Can I just say how much I love these weekly AI posts? I've never been so invested in an AI (original flavour) contestant as I am with Carly right now, so it's nice to see her progress every week documented by someone who feels the same way.
As for the performances, I too thought Carly did a great job, and it's obvious that neither Simon nor Randy like her very much because they never have anything particularly positive to say about her (the one time Randy and Paula had nothing bad to say about her in her "Here You Come Again" performance, Simon had to go and trash her wardrobe with no word on her vocals, which bugged). I do hope she's safe tonight, or else I might be done with this show for good. Sigh.
I think Kristy Lee is better than people give her credit for. She certainly seems to have improved in the past three weeks and I feel that she has earned her spot out of the bottom three. Still, though, I'd rather her and Syesha (and Brooke too) leave before Carly.
And I also agree, Archuleta annoys the crap out of me. He's going to win, but whatever CD he puts out is going to be extremely boring.
Thoroughly enjoyable
I can't help but notice that everyone on the show - from the contestants to the judges to Ryan - was in a particularly good mood last night. I think it might have been the magic of Mariah. It was also great to see her give insightful advice about technical details and make sensible comments (i.e. not saying how amazing every single contestant is).
I have a feeling that the final two of this season may be D. Archuleta and D. Cook, and I personally prefer the latter.
My own take on Carly is that she has capable vocal, but with "Without you" particularly, I thought she could (and perhaps should) have hit some higher notes at the bridge.
Mariah's songs have clearly illuminated the weakness in Brooke and Jason's vocal. Brooke was my favourite at the beginning of the season, but I feel that she's struggling to find her own voice here. It makes me cringe every time she sings now, which is rather sad really :(
And thanks for the "Ken Lee" video. Absolutely hilarious :D
***
"All my possessions for a moment in time"
[Elizabeth I]
Jason and Brooke
While yes, I agree with you that this week showed that Brooke and Jason don't have those power house vocals, they did however still bring something new to the songs that they sung. Jason's and Brooke's style is that of Jack Johnson and Feist. They have that indie/folk almost earthy sound to them. They may not have the strongest voices, but they put every ounce of emotion they have into the songs they sing.
I also see D. Archuleta and D. Cook being the final two. I would hate to see Archuleta win. I mean he is a great singer, but he's just that. I mean he sings songs about changing the world and inspiration songs every week and just sings them pretty much how they were originally recorded, not very creative at all.
As far as Carly goes, I think she alongside David Cook are the two best singers on the show. The thing with Carly however, is that I don't think she has really found her niche. I mean D. Cook is a rocker, Jason and Brooke have a folk vibe to them, Kristi Lee is definately a country singer, Syesha reminds me of Fantasia and has a broadway voice on her, and D. Archuleta sings inspirational songs every week. Where does Carly fall? I could easily see her making a record like that of Kelly Clarkson's latest CD, but I truly do not think she has found her voice yet. I love her to death though, she's one of my favorites.
I'm having delusions of granduer.....
Partida
You stole my words!
Okay, so not really, but I feel like I could have written that. I agree 100%. :)
LegallyOut
I agree about Jason and D. Archuleta
Jason's take on "I don't wanna cry" was very original and was surprisingly pleasant. I never liked his style until that performance.
Brooke on the other hand sings from the heart. Everybody sees that, and everybody says that. "Let it be" completely got me hooked on her, but her subsequent performances didn't feel quite complete. I just keep thinking that she could have done better, every time.
D. Archuleta has a beautiful voice, but I was never moved by his performance :D So, with you on that.
And very interesting analysis on Carly. I do feel she has that 'rockstar' performing edge in but her voice is instead more supportive of pop/ urban.
***
"All my possessions for a moment in time"
[Elizabeth I]
This week was better than last!
That clip of Ken-Lee is hilarious...I have seen it before and it totally ruined Carly´s performance for me. The minute I found out it was gonna be Without you I started hearing that Bulgarian woman in my head and I laughed hysterically for mostly of Carly´s performance! But don´t worry:o) I rewinded it and saw it again. I thought she did a great job and I agree that the restraint was good!! David Cook was good and solid as usual, he should be in the top two I think. Castro did okay too.
As mention before...the girls are in trouble. I predict the bottom three will be Kristy, Syesha and Brooke, with Kristy going home.
I <3 Mariah
The highlight of last night for me was Mariah. I know she's got a reputation for being an egotistical, super-demanding diva. But I don't care. I love her anyway. I actually thought she was one of the best mentors the Idols have ever had. She was sweet, down-to-earth and gave them real, specific suggestions -- not just "you'll do great, just sing from your heart" crap.
And the performances last night -- though nicely done, for the most part -- illustrated just what an amazing voice Mariah has. No one can sing those songs like her. I DO wish someone would have attempted some of MC's more upbeat songs (Fantasy, Honey, Heartbreaker). A full night of ballads is a little much for me.
I'm looking forward to seeing the group-sing tonight, and of course a performance by Mariah herself. *Sigh* I love her. I want her to invite me over to drink champagne and take bubblebaths.
Mariah night
Can I just say how dumb this theme is? I mean, Mariah's fine and all but they've, the judges, mainly Randy, have said to not tackle Mariah's songs because of the comparison and what happens? They're forced to sing her songs. And they're still being compared to her.
Brooke, I just love this girl. I'm sticking by her until the end but she's falling apart. I really think it's just the show that's getting to her because she isn't a belter and the whole thing just isn't her style, and I think she knows that, and that there's not much more she can do. The judges have been so inconsistent with everyone that I think it's throwing her off. Her album pre-Idol was great and I'm sure her post Idol stuff will be great as well. Whoever compared her to Feist, I completely agree. Jason and Brooke would both work better in smaller venues because they have that intimacy in their voice and performances.
And I have to say, Kristy Lee Cook is one smart girl. If this was her plan all along,
then well played. David Cook, I didn't like. It was grumbly.
ETA: I think MJ was a "shock" boot because he hasn't been in the "bottom 3" before and he got beat by KLC (yeah) and Syesha (seems like there's no fanbase) so I think it was shocking. Just like Daughtry! was a "shock" boot. I'm a firm believer of the conspiracy theory, for a long time now, and we are probably due for a David x2 finale.
I think the guys did better
I think the guys did better because they really made the songs their own. The women seemed to be fitting the song to their vocal range.
The women just need to learn how to be more creative.
I really don't think anybody can sing Mariah. Her songs are perfectly tailored to her voice.
"Without You" was 70s song made for a tenor.
Anybody who tries to sing her songs really have to change 'em up.
My favorites of the night
I don't get it
I have to admit I really
I 'll Go To A Brooke White Concert
I was just telling my friend
double post...sorry
double post...sorry
MC night
Was very impressed with Mariah's mentoring. Wasn't sure how she'd do as a coach but was pleasantly surprised!
I enjoyed the fellas this week. This week was always gonna be hard for the girls - you can't sing Mariah and not be compared to the woman.
Lesbian Tees & Gifts - wearables with a lesbian flavour.
AI and Mariah
I'm surprised how many people in my reality circle didn't know Vanishing or Forever. I am a huge fan of Mariah (pre-Glitter years). Last night for me was all about David Cook but so is every week. He is hands down my favorite contestant. Last night when he was singing ABMB, you could see something on his face and hear something in his voice when he looked past the judges into the audience. I think he caught a glimpse of his brother who was there. At that moment the song took on a different meaning. I think it is less about arrogance with him then it is with him wanting to be so great for his brother as well as the stress of being away from him. It was hard not to get emotional after his performance last night (for me anyway). I cannot wait until next week (Andrew Lloyd Webber).