American Idol Discussion

[Gary Stuart]

Who else is following American Idol this season? What do you think of Cara? I wish they would get to Hollywood already.

[Sarah at HorseJobs.ca]

"Hello, My name is Sarah and I am an American Idol Addict"
I must admit I had no idea WHO Cara was until I did a little background research! I like her though and boy can SHE sing!
I, too, am ready for Hollywood.....Woo Hoo! :)

[Dorothy McDonall]

I'm following ... Cara is great ... The auditions are over ... Hollywood here we come!!!!

[Gary Stuart]

OK. Hollywood at last!!!

But still no music. Bikini Girl is right when she says that she sings because of the music. I know I sound much better if I've got some musical accompaniment (particularly if the music is loud enough to drown out my voice). If I wanted to listen to a cappella, I can listen to my wife in the shower.

Meanwhile, there is some real talent this year.

How about Bikini Girl! She can sing as well as look good in not too much. I don't know how long she can last, though, with Cara sniping at her. But don't let it get you down kid: it's better than having Simon doing the sniping! And Paula I think thought she wasn't too bad. The guys, of course, continue to be supporters.

My favourite is Norman. I loved the out-take where he is seen throwing his shiny shirt in the garbage and saying he's going back to being just Nick. And then he jumps out on stage in his shiny shirt (I hope he washed it!!!). What an over-the-top performance! But the crazy thing is that he can really sing as well. The question is: when will he believe that he can get by just on his vocals? Before it's too late?

One thing for sure, Norman and Bikini Girl will not be hooking up. And if Bikini Girl has the hots for Ryan, she may be disappointed....

Can't wait for the group performances to come in the next show. Sure to be some fireworks.

Stay tuned!

[Dorothy McDonall]

I like the a capella round because everything about the voice is exposed. Many average singers get away with a lot simply because the instrumental washes over their vocal "imperfections." As a singer myself performing in a vocal trio that includes a couple of a capella songs in its repertoire, I have a very finely tuned ear and really appreciate a finely tuned voice. I believe the true test of a good singer is whether or not they can support the voice on their own without the assistance of an instrumental background.

There are a few voices I'm really liking so far and I'm lovin' David Osmond's voice. I'm really curious to see how far he goes.

[Caroline Pettersen]

I think bikini chick really has to go...no natural talent there, I mean with her voice anyway...! I've been a fan for years, and actually look forward to the season.

[Dorothy McDonall]

I agree ... she's pretty nauseating. I wonder how long she'll last ...

[Caroline Pettersen]

as long as Simon and Randy think she is hot!!!

[Dorothy McDonall]

Just goes to show how little of this is based on real talent ... at least at this stage of the competition.

Tonight it's "groups." Can hardly wait to see how that unfolds ...

[Caroline Pettersen]

YEHHHHHHH BIKINI CHICKEY HAS LEFT THE BUILDING. WOO HOO, I have names for girls like her...all about herself.

[Dorothy McDonall]

Oh brother, the drama is tooooooo much!!!!! A lot of time wasted, IMHO, on arguments and egos and emotion at the expense of hearing more people sing. This is the only thing that frustrates me about this show!!!

David Osmond was eliminated ... buy why? We didn't even hear what he did, and he has such a lovely, lovely voice! I'm very disappointed.

Nevertheless, I was very impressed by the group that sang a capella and the first group as well -- nice tight, well thought out harmonies punctuated by resonant and well-sung solos. But that's all that I can really recall apart from all the drama queens.

If I never see Tatiana again it won't be too soon ... and bikini girl -- good riddance!

[Caroline Pettersen]

I totally agree, I too enjoyed the a capella group, i thought they were great. (I am not a singer - just a listener).

Regardless, I do enjoy watching this show. Now it starts to get really good, where we get to see talent. Till next week.

cheers

[Gary Stuart]

I could not agree more!

With a caveat. The show is ostensibly a singing contest, but the popularity of the show (and certainly the reason I watch it) is because it is real human drama. Although set on a beautiful stage with all the pomp and ceremony that money can buy, the process is just as brutal as if it were one of the island reality shows. Everyone is trying to survive and the pressure must be unbelievable. Jason said as much on the last show. He got to 4th, but he didn't appear to be enjoying it very much and looked quite relieved to be booted before he had to get 3 songs prepared for the next week.

So requiring the singers to perform in a group was obviously too much for some of the contestants, and it was lurid voyeurism in the extreme watching some of the groups implode. Meanwhile, the a cappella group was phenomenal!

Thank goodness one bad apple did not necessarily wreck the chances of the other members of the group. in fact, the judges clearly moved people along based on their voices rather than on the group effect, particularly where the group effect was poor (which was as it should be).

But there needed to be more singing! Particularly good singing. That has been an issue with the show so far. There are going to be 12 finalists and it's nice if we have been able to see them all in action on the early shows. I'm not sure that that will be the case.

Katrina "Bikini Girl" Darrell we'll miss you. David Osmond, we hardly knew you. Silly laughing girl: we look forward to some more chuckles.