American Idol Recap - Week 4
I've decided to tivo-blog the idol show today, mostly b/c my laptop is sitting in front of me and I've got nothing better to do. (scratch that - i've got plenty better to do, just nothing I want to be doing right now.)
So it begins...
Holy crap, what is up with Seacrest's sweater? Filled with scribbles and blotches, it looks like a pre-school class got hold of it for art class then again after a lunch they didn't much agree with... wow.
Seacrest says that all 3 people that have been voted off have been females. This isn't that surprising- from day 1, it seemed that the men were much better than the women.
Snap to the scene from last week when Seacrest reveals the show topic to the contestants. Coca Cola clearly paid for placement here - it's a coke room, says coke on the bottom of the screen, and most of the contestants are drinking coke. How American. Constantine is the first to pick up that the theme is "classical showtunes." Why am I not surprised?
Scott "Bitchslapper" Savol is up first, doing "The Impossible Dream" from Man of La Mancha on the advice of his mom. Scott seems to really value the advice of his mom - apparently his mom didn't previously tell him not to slap his girl around.
Randy: it was a-iiight.
Paula: always listen to your mom.
Simon: it was ordinary.
Hat: Not bad, but like Simon said, ordinary.
Paula can't seem to let Simon say 3 words without interrupting him, I hope this doesn't continue.
Constanteeth Maroulis is up next, doing "My Funny Valentine." He lets us know that Frank Sinatra does a rendition and that Frank is one of his very favorite artists. Constantine, I have news for you: I know Frank Sinatra. I have CD's by Frank Sinatra. You, Constanteeth, are no Frank Sinatra.
Randy: This is your best performance yet, this is your style.
Paula: "I admit I'm falling in love with you." (WTF?)
Simon: (looks horrified at what Paula just said) The best "pouting" performance? (did i hear that right?)
Hat: I thought this performance was more ordinary that ordinary Scott's ordinary performance. These judges are smoking something.
Carrie Underwood: Says that she had to really "stretch herself" to do "Hello Young Lovers" from "The King and I." Oh, Carrie, that's so unfair to put that image in my head.
Randy: that was boring, i was starting to fall asleep. but you sang it brilliantly.
Paula: you looked stunning, your performance was elegant.
Simon: you sang very well, but it was boring.
Hat: umm, what? i think i zoned out for a little bit there. i wasn't bored at all - i think i was still thinking of that "stretching" line.." carrie, call me. i'm a lawyer. i'll buy you a big house on a west texas hill....
Vonzell Solomon: says that she's doing "People" from "Funny Girl." Ok, the mere fact that that's a Barbara Streisand production turns me off to it. F*ck Barbara Streisand. Vonzell sounds pretty good, she has a great voice and a great range. I think she missed the final note, though. F*ck Barbara Streisand.
Randy: wow, you keep getting better.
Paula: bold choice, picking babs. (i agree, paula, but i don't think it's a good thing.)
Simon: It was good, not great. (paula interrupts, saying "no, it was great!!") it was clinical, controlled. (paula interrupts, "how was that controlled?!?")
Hat: F*ck Barbara Streisand.
Earth to Paula: SHUT THE HELL UP.
Boringov: tells us that he picked "Climb Every Mountian" from "The Sound of Music" because it's about pursuing your dreams, and that is "exactly what he is doing on American Idol. Hmm, I didn't realize that Boringov dreamed of boring me to death. Nice choice.
Randy: I didn't like that at all.
Paula: I thought it was interesting. you did a good job.
Simon: hideous. (paula, interrupting.)
Hat: agree with Simon. why can't paula let other people talk? someone tell me, what does paula add to this show?
Nikko Smith chose a song from "West Side Story," a duet called "One Hand One Heart." Leave it to Nikko to choose a duet in a solo competition. He has a backup singer singing the female portions of the duet, and I'm having a hard time telling the voices apart.
Randy: you keep it contemporary. it was good. not your best.
Paula: you are the comeback kid! (nikko giggles)
Simon: it was out of tune. (paula on the interruption: get your ears checked, simon!.)
Hat: It's no secret that I don't like Nikko, so I'd like to instead say: Paula, get your manners checked. Let someone else express an opinion.
Anwar Robinson is going "If Ever I Would Leave You" from "Camelot." I don't even want to listen to this, Anwar is a completely boring singer, and I usually use the secret tivo 30 second skip button (S-P-S-30-S) to spare myself. It's not bad. It's predicatable. Anwar is a good singer. I just think he's boring.
Randy: Welcome back! You are one of the best voices.
Paula: blah blah, you're awesome.
Simon: "You seem very comfortable." Paula: "Why shouldn't he?!"
Hat: WTF, Simon says 4 words, positive words even, and Paula STILL feels the need to interrupt? I am so sick of Paula right now.. is she on something tonight?
Bo Bice: I picked "Corner fo thte Sky" from "Pippin" by closing my eyes and blindly pointing at the page. OK, I can respect that. Bo says right up front that this isn't his strong point. He's just looking to get through it. I think he sings it well, as per usual. This contest is going to come down to Bo and Carrie.
Randy: once again, consistently great. you're one of the dogs.
Paula: why bother covering her anymore?
Simon: "i personally think you've had 2 bad weeks." (paula, 4 interruptions)
Hat: Bo sang well. the theme wasn't his thing. i get that. he admitted that.
Nadia Turner is doing "As Long as He Needs Me" from "Oliver." It's a song about love, she says, and tells us that she "actually" felt that way once in her life. Great to know, Nadia. OK, I "actually" really like this performance. I don't think it's typical Nadia, but I'm a big jazz fan, and this reminds me of a billie holiday performance with a jane monheit type "big" voice. i like it. i'm sure the judges will hate it. (except paula, that is)
Randy: great performance.
Simon: strongest you've been in weeks.
Hat: wow, the judges agreed with me. i'm a bit surprised.
This was my least favorite week of Idol - not that I'm not a fan of the classic musicals, i just think that most of the contestants did a terrible job.
My favorite performer of the night was Nadia.
My picks for those most deserving of the "bottom 3" - wow, this is hard. most of the contestants were terrible. If I had to pick, though, (and I do), I'd pick Anwar, Boringov, and Niko.
Law Professor & Idol fan extraordinaire Ann Althouse comments on the show
Posted by jkhat at April 5, 2005 09:08 PM
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Comments
| # April 5th, 2005 9:54 PM kris |
| Seacrest's sweater was truly tragic. Simon should have said something about that.
Didn't you get Simon's remark about Anwar being "comfortable" with the theme? It was poorly veiled dig at Anwar's sexuality. Although, I don't think Anwar's gay. I think he's a no-sex-man. He's asexual, not that there's anything wrong with that. Oh, and I couldn't tell the difference between Nikko and his backup singer either. My bottom three: Boringov, Nikko, Anwar My predicted bottom three: Anwar, Scott, Nadia The boot: Scott |
| # April 5th, 2005 10:04 PM james |
| scott has not yet been in the bottom 3.
what makes you think he will be booted next? |
| # April 5th, 2005 10:05 PM kris |
| because of the backlash from the domestic abuse arrest. my theory is that he gets votes because people feel sorry for him because he's ugly. they won't feel sorry for him anymore and so they won't vote for him. |
| # April 5th, 2005 10:10 PM james |
| his arrest was pretty low key
and really, i know i teased him in the recap, but i read the police report and it didn't seem like that big of a deal. i just don't think that most of his voting public has heard of the arrest. plus, he is from "ohio." you may know that ohio has more presidents than any other state. ohio is big, and ohioians stick together. ohio is voting for their hometown boy from shaker heights. |
| # April 5th, 2005 10:13 PM kris |
| that's what they all said about Jasmine from Hawaii last year, and she was a sweetheart, not a hulking goon.
|
| # April 6th, 2005 12:26 AM kris |
| Given Paula's increasingly bizarre behavior, I think it's only a matter of time before she's replaced. Who would you pick to take over the middle seat?
These are my initial choices: 1. Kate Pierson from the B52s 2. Susanna Hoffs from the Bangles 3. Joan Jett 4. Frenchie Davis 5. Sade 6. Annie Lennox (although she'd probably be too much like Simon) |
| # April 6th, 2005 6:51 AM JohnTant |
| Great recap.
First, last night had Paula in caricature form. If you notice, she's always had very odd, out-of-left-field comments. I seriously think she boozes up before she goes on the program. Which is only fair. I usually have to booze up before *I* watch, if only to get through Anwar "If you cut me, do I not bleed puppies?" Robinson's set (thanks to TWOP for the nick, btw...). Anyway, last night shows just how much things have changed on the show. I am a huge nerd for even remembering this, but a couple of years ago one of the top nine (Corey Clark) was booted off the show after news broke of his arrest for assaulting his sister and resisting said arrest. Now...no shame in having Scotty The Beater on the show. (As an aside, I was always amused by his "hard boy" image. Dude, he's from SHAKER HEIGHTS! The biggest threat to your person in Shaker Heights is being accidentally hit by a Gucci bag someone has thrown out the window because she doesn't want it any more. Well, that or being in a relationship with Scott Savol...) I'm getting the sense the producers kind of want Bo off the show, hence the "musicals" theme (and the "90s" theme from the previous week...not a great decade for Bo's niche). Note also the extra banter Seacrest gave ConstantlyPouting after what can only be described as a lounge lizard performance. I actually speed-dialed a few votes for Bo last night, although I could barely find the phone in my bourbon-induced haze. My vote for the Paula replacement would be TaMIka. But when you get right down to it, Randy Jackson is similarly incoherent, especially when you compare his comments from week to week (that bit about the "Janis Joplin" song and then next week saying the song choice doesn't matter as long as its sung well is but one example). |
| # April 6th, 2005 7:16 AM kris |
| Oh John, you've forced me to remember Corey Clark, not once, but twice now. Shame on you.
Don't forget Frenchie's dismissal either. All she did was pose topless on some questionable website to get money for college. I mean, who hasn't done that? I think you're wrong about Bo. Tonight, sure, he did the best he could, but the 90s are made for him, he just chose a bad song. Think about what he could have done with "Jeremy" or "Plush" or "Creep" (well, that's Scott's song, isn't it?) or even "Black". My god, if someone sang "Black" on this show I'd melt, even if it were effing Constantine. I think the producers are gunning for a final four with two guys and two girls. Right now they'd like Bo, Constantine, Carrie and probably Nadia. I'd be fine with that. |
| # April 6th, 2005 7:53 AM jagorham |
| -- All she did was pose topless on some questionable website to get money for college. I mean, who hasn't done that?
-- I didn't - but that was purely economic. I figured I'd have to PAY people to want pix of me topless :P (and where are your pix at, kris? :o ) Seriously, didn't Seacrest say this was the first time they'd used the classic showtunes theme on AI? I have a feeling it'll be season 10 before we see another. Mind you, I love the genre, but most of them tend to be of the schmaltzy, "Music of Your Life" type of songs, and it's not something that many of the under-30 set would be familiar with. I also wonder how their choices were limited. I would think that an Andrew Lloyd Weber musical, or something similarly contemporary ("Rent," "A Chorus Line") might have had appeal to them, if available. The most recent tune sung was Bo's song from "Pippin," ca. 1974. Overall, a snoozer of a show. Would like to see Scott get the boot as the weakest link of the remaining contestants. |
| # April 6th, 2005 8:16 AM OlderIdolFan |
| I enjoyed the comments by jkhat too. There wasn't anything wrong with the choice of musicals as a theme last night, the problem was that no one seemed to have a clue as to what songs would suit them.
1. Haven't the rockers heard that there are "rock musicals"? "Corner In the Sky" would have been great sung by Anthony - too bad Bo butchered it instead. 2. Carrie sang "Hello Young Lovers" - a song written for a singer with a very limited range (Gertrude Lawrence) and the judges thought she sang it well. duhh - anyone can sing that one well. She brought absolutely nothing to it. 3. We heard several singers attempting high notes that they had no business trying on national tv. And some of these same singers were stretched last week too. This isn't a high note contest guys, lower the key. It almost ruined Nadia's performance for me - great otherwise though. 4. Anthony continues to get a bum rap from the judges - I don't get it. Admittedly last night wasn't his best, but both Scott and Nikko are much, much worse if we're talking about pitch problems. 5. Paula must have a drinking problem. I think she brings a lot to the show when she's sober, but last night she was an embarassment. Last week she almost passed out (or perhaps did). Evidently she only drank enough to get soused last night. 6. Get rid of Scott Savol. Last night showed him to have a very week voice and he continues to have severe pitch problems. Put that together with his record, his disgusting attitude and his looks and you have someone who should not be on at all, much less in the top 12 (or 9 or whatever). Glad to find a group that can discuss Idol without the teenage girl frenzy. greg |
| # April 6th, 2005 9:22 AM Kazots |
| "Constanteeth" what a perfect handle for this egotistical, nose scrunching, self-perceived lady killer. I really don't like this guy but I want him to stay in the show. It gives you the opportunity to get up and walk out of the room for an adult beverage during the show.
The boy reminds me of a rat snarling when he does his ain't I just darling imitation. |
| # April 6th, 2005 7:27 PM james |
| conway twitty would be my ideal judge - unfortunately he's been dead for over 10 years.
to replace paula, how about shania twain? she's waaaay hotter. and canadian! |
| # April 6th, 2005 7:29 PM BaldEagle |
| Great comments all around!
Carrie: The favorite. Most consistant. Bo: Started very strong, bad song choices the last 2 weeks. Ever heard any of the songs from "Tommy", Bo? Vonzell: My longshot. Coming on strong the last 3 weeks. Anwar: Great voice. He lacks something to win it, though. Constantine: If he can just get out the "Tiger Beat" vote. Smarmy. Nikko: Atonal dissonance. Very popular in today's hip-hop. Stretch out each syllable of a song with six notes, hoping one of them is on key. "Oh gur-ur-ur-url, I lu-uv yu-uu-uu-uu-u!" Spare me. Scott: Sounds a little like Aaron Neville, he's the resident urban wanna-be. Vonzell: More personality and presence than anyone, not the strongest voice. The kind of girl who'd be a blast to be friends with. Anthony: Clean cut, immigrant success story. Nice, but boring. He'll be gone soon. |
| # April 6th, 2005 7:31 PM BaldEagle |
| Sorry. NADIA is the personality girl. My bad. |
| # April 6th, 2005 7:35 PM james |
| great idea about Tommy... Quadrophenia would work too |
| # April 6th, 2005 7:37 PM kris |
| is "Behind Blue Eyes" from Quadrophenia? THAT would have been awesome.
Oops, I was actually thinking of "Love, Reign O'er Me", which would have been even better! |
| # April 6th, 2005 8:08 PM JohnTant |
| Watching the results show now....
I asked this in the general section, but I'll ask here too: how do I vote off Fantasia? |
| # April 6th, 2005 8:09 PM JohnTant |
| Oh, RUUUUUBEN is in the audience, with Kimberly Caldwell. Funny how the camerman totally dissed Caldwell in the shot when Seacrest announced them.... |
| # April 6th, 2005 8:13 PM JohnTant |
| Thank God...they got rid of the Muppets.
Looks like the same set, though. |
| # April 6th, 2005 8:13 PM shelly |
| Scott: I thought he had a good voice at first, but regardless he just doesn't have it.
Constantine: I think he has really improved, however his acting gets on my nerves. Carrie: I agree she does have a voice, but she doesn't seem to be different. Vonzel: First, I want to say that last week she sang that Whitney Houston song excellent and she did great last night too. Anthony: Not good enough. Nikko: He has done much better since he was first kicked off, but too ordinary. Anwar: He sang good last night I thought, but he's too happy and although it's not a bad thing, it's a bit strange and I couldn't imagine what type of music he would sing if he won. Bo: I think that he has sang every single song well. I agree with Simon, he does seem like he has been doing this forever. Nadia: A little strange, but I've like a few of her performances and she was excellent last night. First, I want to say that I am no singer and give all of them credit for their talent. I agree with Randy that it would be nice to see a rocker win simply because it would be different. No they don't have the range that some of the others do, but good music is good music. Lastly: I missed the first American Idol, and I never ever thought I would vote, but I voted for Fantasia for 2 episodes over 200 times. She has a unique voice, she seems to be so positive and SHE HAS 'IT'! |
| # April 6th, 2005 8:15 PM JohnTant |
| And here we go...
Nikko: Bottom Three. Way to get the evening off to a rollicking start. I wonder if we can expand it to the bottom six? Vonzell: Bottom three. Two in a row! Must have been that E-flat. Scott: Priceless look on The Beater's face. Bottom Three! At least I won't have to sit through the rest of their names being called, including ConstantlySmarmy's faux look of humility. If only they could do this every week. |
| # April 6th, 2005 8:17 PM JohnTant |
| I love Seacrest's turn of phrase: Let me put one of you out of your misery.
No please, Ryan...let me. |
| # April 6th, 2005 8:20 PM shelly |
| GLAD TO KNOW THAT I WASN'T THE ONLY ONE WHO NOTICED THAT PAULA WAS ON SOMETHING LAST WEEK. SHE MUST HAVE BEEN ON SOMETHING AND FORGOT AND TOOK MORE. SHE IS ANNOYING, BUT I LIKE THE JUDGES. WHEN PEOPLE ON SHOWS CHANGE, IT'S USUALLY SUICIDE. |
| # April 6th, 2005 8:20 PM JohnTant |
| Dare I dream? Does The Beater lose whatever Shaker Heights Nerd Convention that was voting for him up till now?
Oh, whoever did wardrobe for this show, thanks for making Seacrest look like an adult. |
| # April 6th, 2005 8:23 PM JohnTant |
| Paula thinking The Beater could get a recording contract?
Yeah, with "goofy tooth" records. Ah, and Vonzell goes back to the couch. |
| # April 6th, 2005 8:27 PM JohnTant |
| Ah, my heart is a-flutter.
Doesn't Scott look like a "thinks I'm hip" used car salesman? |
| # April 6th, 2005 8:28 PM JohnTant |
| Paula handed out necklaces this season too?
What, does she get a kickback or something?!? |
| # April 6th, 2005 8:29 PM JohnTant |
| Well, damn.
And I have Ozzie Smith's rookie card too. |
| # April 6th, 2005 8:42 PM james |
i've been hatin on nikko since day 1. i like how althouse put it
"Can someone remind the judges that Stevie Wonder was at his height over thirty years ago? Why do they keep acting like Stevie Wonder is the biggest thing going today?" |
| # April 6th, 2005 8:50 PM JohnTant |
| Well, when you have both Nikko and Scott up there, it's kind of like hearing Michael Moore drove off a cliff...while driving your brand new Bentley. |