Random Thoughts.
1) I’m getting a little annoyed that pretty much all the themes are a person rather than a genre. Okay, so each person sort of represents a genre (Mariah Carey = pop, Dolly Parton = country, Beatles = classic rock, Andrew Lloyd Webber = Broadway, Neil Diamond = rock), but limiting it to that person’s songs is so…limiting. How are the contestants supposed to pick a song that fits them when nothing in the person’s catalog, you know, fits them? It seems to become little more than an exercise in promoting not the contestants but the celebrity performers/songwriters. Plus, I’m sorry, but it gets really boring to watch at times. I’ve been clamoring for a Broadway/showtunes night for two years now, and I only get Webber? Nothing against him, he’s got some great shows, but it’s such a teeny slice of Broadway – what about some Larson (RENT), some Kander & Ebb (Cabaret), some Bernstein (West Side Story), some Miss Saigon or Les Mis, some Wicked or for goodness sake, some SONDHEIM? (Sondheim might be hard to do in 90 seconds, but I’m sure something could be figured out.) The other themes, of course, have similar issues, I just know more about Broadway.
2) The results shows are just getting insanely packed with stupid filler. There is no earthly reason for it to have an hour-long slot instead of a half-hour. The calls from viewers? Stupid. Guest singers with no relation to the show? Stupid. Thank God for DVRs. On the opposite side, how rushed was that performance show? Geez. I’m surprised Ryan didn’t make them all sing in double-time. And Paula had notes from rehearsal, clearly, and got flustered. Let’s not make it more than it is.
3) Okay, performances. Jason’s back to pleasant but not outstanding for me. Ready for him to go not because I dislike him, but because he’s clearly out of his league at this point. Syesha is stepping it up for me a LOT lately. She’s got the most Idol-ready voice at this point, and though she’s still not the person whose record I would buy, I’ve got to admit that she’s probably the strongest vocalist, and has been for a while, even though I tend to ignore her because of my love for David C. and Brooke. David C., incredible, incredible, incredible. I’d buy his record NOW. Brooke, seriously bad choice on the first song, and didn’t even get a good key for herself. Much better on the second – that’s her niche, and I love her in that mode. David A., good vocals, but yeah, I’m sort of bored by him now.
4) Results. I’m not really surprised. I take that back, I’m surprised that Jason is still sailing through. But once he was on the couch, I wasn’t surprised. Brooke’s first song was REALLY rough, and I knew she wouldn’t win anyway. She’s great at what she does, but what she does is not really Idol’s thing. I’m glad she was around as long as she was, and I’m sure she’ll be fine, singing songs that fit her much better than what Idol’s been throwing her lately.
5) Hopefully Jason will go next week. After that, it’s a toss-up. Will it be David C., the most clearly talented singer/musician with the best chance of actually making a hit record, but whose demographic doesn’t traditionally jive with Idol completely? Remember Daughtry went home in fourth place. Will it be Syesha, who’s peaking at just the right time and would be a near-perfect fit for Idol’s niche, but who hasn’t seemed to gather the fanbase she might need to bring it home? Will it be David A., who has the teen girl vote locked up tight, but is starting to bore a lot of the rest of us? Who can say?
Abby
I agree with you completely, except that I don’t think of Syesha as a strong vocalist. Or something about her is not strong to me, maybe just that she likes songs in a boring genre. Anyway, she just never jumps out at me one way or another, never leaves any impression on me. And I think the reason Jason Castro sails through is for the same reason Sanjaya did for so long. I realize I keep saying that. But you know, he is totally the kind of guy 12 year old this is “soooo cute!” But you’re right, he’s out of his league. And he seems strangely unfamiliar with most of the artists they’ve had. You’re also right in that they should pick a broader genre, like “Broadway” and not just the Cats guy. But still, even though I’m not a fan of ALW, I know his stuff, and I cdon’t even follow Broadway. Jason seems like he’s never even heard most of these songs before! That’s another thing I like about David Cook. He definitely has a niche, but he seems pretty well rounded as far as what he’s familiar with, and especially what he can do with it.
Abby
I agree with you completely, except that I don’t think of Syesha as a strong vocalist. Or something about her is not strong to me, maybe just that she likes songs in a boring genre. Anyway, she just never jumps out at me one way or another, never leaves any impression on me. And I think the reason Jason Castro sails through is for the same reason Sanjaya did for so long. I realize I keep saying that. But you know, he is totally the kind of guy 12 year old this is “soooo cute!” But you’re right, he’s out of his league. And he seems strangely unfamiliar with most of the artists they’ve had. You’re also right in that they should pick a broader genre, like “Broadway” and not just the Cats guy. But still, even though I’m not a fan of ALW, I know his stuff, and I cdon’t even follow Broadway. Jason seems like he’s never even heard most of these songs before! That’s another thing I like about David Cook. He definitely has a niche, but he seems pretty well rounded as far as what he’s familiar with, and especially what he can do with it.
Debbie
I agree with you Jandy. Sayesha has been stepping it up, but I don’t find her likable. I am with you on David A., too. He is very predictable and has become boring.
Who have you been voting for?
My thought is that when Jason goes, David A. is going to get ALL the little tweener votes. Was it your suggestion that David C. might be better off not winning, so he could have more freedom in what he does afterward?
Debbie
I agree with you Jandy. Sayesha has been stepping it up, but I don’t find her likable. I am with you on David A., too. He is very predictable and has become boring.
Who have you been voting for?
My thought is that when Jason goes, David A. is going to get ALL the little tweener votes. Was it your suggestion that David C. might be better off not winning, so he could have more freedom in what he does afterward?
Jandy
Abby – I wouldn’t buy Syesha’s record, because she’s not my genre of music, but she’s got the widest vocal range, the fewest pitch problems, and the purest tone quality of anyone on the show. Except David C., and they’re such different singers that it’s almost fruitless to compare them.
Interestingly, Jason hasn’t been the Vote for the Worst candidate; I haven’t checked all year, but I just did, and apparently Brooke was until this week. Weird. Anyway, you’re right, too, about Jason’s lack of musical knowledge. Though the most shocking to me was when David A. didn’t know hardly any Beatles songs. What?! That was probably when he started losing my respect. ;)
Debbie – I haven’t been voting, because I haven’t been watching the show until the next day. I probably would’ve been voting for Brooke, though, since I usually feel fairly good about David C’s chances.
And yeah, I’m sure Daughtry has done a lot better on his own than he would have with Idol’s contract; I expect David C. would be in a similar situation. Honestly, I think I’d rather see David A. or Syesha win, and David C. come in second and get more creative control over what he does next.
Jandy
Abby – I wouldn’t buy Syesha’s record, because she’s not my genre of music, but she’s got the widest vocal range, the fewest pitch problems, and the purest tone quality of anyone on the show. Except David C., and they’re such different singers that it’s almost fruitless to compare them.
Interestingly, Jason hasn’t been the Vote for the Worst candidate; I haven’t checked all year, but I just did, and apparently Brooke was until this week. Weird. Anyway, you’re right, too, about Jason’s lack of musical knowledge. Though the most shocking to me was when David A. didn’t know hardly any Beatles songs. What?! That was probably when he started losing my respect. ;)
Debbie – I haven’t been voting, because I haven’t been watching the show until the next day. I probably would’ve been voting for Brooke, though, since I usually feel fairly good about David C’s chances.
And yeah, I’m sure Daughtry has done a lot better on his own than he would have with Idol’s contract; I expect David C. would be in a similar situation. Honestly, I think I’d rather see David A. or Syesha win, and David C. come in second and get more creative control over what he does next.
Kathy
Jandy — I’ve never posted to a blog before (because I’m OLD and have generally nothing to say), but I enjoy reading about your life and ideas. I do have to comment, though, on your assertion that Neil Diamond = rock (music genre). Not in a million years does Neil Diamond = rock! Pop, maybe. But definitely not rock. :-0 I hope to see you soon.
Kathy
Jandy — I’ve never posted to a blog before (because I’m OLD and have generally nothing to say), but I enjoy reading about your life and ideas. I do have to comment, though, on your assertion that Neil Diamond = rock (music genre). Not in a million years does Neil Diamond = rock! Pop, maybe. But definitely not rock. :-0 I hope to see you soon.
Jandy
Kathy, I call bull on both the old and nothing to say counts. :p Glad to see you! And you’re probably right. I’ve actually never listened to Neil Diamond at all. I’ve probably heard his songs at some point, but not to where I’d connect them with him. “Rock” is my default musical genre (because that’s what everyone should be!), but when we’re talking Idol, I should probably change my default to pop.
Jandy
Kathy, I call bull on both the old and nothing to say counts. :p Glad to see you! And you’re probably right. I’ve actually never listened to Neil Diamond at all. I’ve probably heard his songs at some point, but not to where I’d connect them with him. “Rock” is my default musical genre (because that’s what everyone should be!), but when we’re talking Idol, I should probably change my default to pop.