February 7, 2007

"American Idol" -- the leftovers.

We're done with the individual cities, and now they're cutting together the odds and ends. Sounds bad, right? The best part of the show was the previews for next week, when we finally get to Hollywood, the place we've been hearing for weeks that we're going to. Mostly, we've got to wade through a lot of dross. A few comic characters, but I've seen too many in the last few weeks to be in the mood to describe them for you. There are a couple of sweet guys who aren't very good, but love Paula a lot, and everyone is pretty nice to them -- almost as if they suddenly feel a sense of responsibility for what happens in the lives of the rejected contestants. Amid all that there were four really good singers tonight.

1. Tami Gosnell, the pedi-cabbie who could pedal Randy, Paula, and Simon uphill and who they said looked like some star from the 60s (clearly, Janis Joplin). She sang "Whipping Post" with lots of power and a distinctive tone.

2. Paul Kim, an Asian guy who was irritated that when people think of an Asian guy on "American Idol," they always think of the comic contestant William Hung.

3. The incredibly beautiful (and tall and roller-skate-wearing) Ebony Jointer. She sings a Whitney Houston song and makes us think we're looking at the Season 6 winner.

4. Finally, there's the one we think of as the new Mandisa: Lakisha Jones. She sings "Think" -- "Freedom! Freedom!" -- exactly the way you'd want someone to sing "Think."

6 comments:

Ruth Anne Adams said...

I wonder if any of this is left to chance anymore. Or are they always looking for a Kelly, a Reuben, a Paris, a Clay, a Chris Daughtridge, a Pickler?...someone to hit each target demographic.

Is any of it real?

Colin Davies said...

I can't believe that an intelligent person would watch this crap...

Ann Althouse said...

Well, since it's the most popular show on TV in America, and its equivalent is extremely popular in many other countries, you are admitting that you don't understand your fellow human beings (and your attitude suggests you don't even want to try). If it's any consolation, let me say that I don't enjoy the show very much. I watch to blog.

Ann Althouse said...

Ruth Anne: I think when they are culling the herd, they are looking for things for different segments of the audience -- otherwise it would be all soul and gospel.

Irene Done said...

I think Taylor Hicks proves that there's a lot left to chance. One remarkable thing about this show is how each season has given us a totally different kind of singer. And of all the winners, really, I feel like only Carrie Underwood was pushed on viewers -- like there was a calculated, pre-determined choice on the part of AI producers that they wanted a winner from the country genre/demo. Still, can't say she hasn't succeeded.

Laura Reynolds said...

As predictable as earmarks in a congressional spending bill is each season's, "more intelligent than thou" AI commenters.

Since you are late to the game, just bypass the AI posts, and troll around for issues you know something about.