American Idol 2011

MaxCast · « **on:** 25 Mar 2011, 02:12 am »

I know the past has been cheesy, but I think this year has been great. The family has been watching so if there wasn't a ncaa game on I watch.

Steven has been a great addition. The crowd loves him. His weird mouth expressions are a bad habit?? but I love it when he spontaneously bursts out with a AhyayayayaaaaaaA! Oh yeah, his commentary usually sucks. But it's still all good.

Jaylo, big boot-wa or not she is gorgeous and usually spot on.

Randy, he makes me laugh. yo yo, pitchy, didn't do anything for me, you need to step outside your box, blah blah.

But most importantly, I find the last group of 11 very good. Especially eight or so. I wish I could pick two songs for each of them to sing and see how they do.

Anyone else been watching? Have a favorite?

Bill O'Connell · « **Reply #1 on:** 25 Mar 2011, 02:45 am »

I could do without Paul, I can't believe he made it thru this week.I get the unique voice but after about 3 songs it has warn very thin.

It will be a tough call in about 3 weeks as to who should get cut.

I do miss some of Simon's angst, he would have torn Paul to pieces by now.

ajzepp · « **Reply #2 on:** 25 Mar 2011, 11:32 pm »

I've been a pretty loyal fan of this show since it's one of my favorite guilty pleasures, but the last two seasons were just boring. I was actually glad to see some of the changes they made for this season, but I really expected a big drop off in terms of viewership. Surprisingly, and as MaxCast pionted out, this season has really been entertaining. On top of that, it's the strongest group of finalists in several years, IMO.

Last season it was pretty much just Lee and Crystal that I watched for...the rest of the contestants were just "blah". This year there are four or five who could legitimately win, and another few who are still very enjoyable to watch perform. My early favorite was Lauren but she's sort of fallen back in the pack a bit. Pia has really REALLY raised her game and she has some huge diva potential. I've also been very impressed with James. This guy was annoying the bejeezus out of me during the hollywood weeks, but he's actually been listening to the advice he's been receiving, he's toned down all the screeching, and now he actually sounds pretty good. I like Stephano and naima...Thia is good but boring....Paul is just plain odd...Jacob is fun to watch and very talented...

All in all, it's a good season so far...been a while since I looked forward to the show each week

funkmonkey · « **Reply #3 on:** 26 Mar 2011, 08:03 pm »

I've been a casual fan for a few years usually watching the auditions, and then one or two episodes later in the season, except season four and last year I watched most of them. This year I have been on the bus again, and I couldn't believe it when I saw that Casey Abrams had been voted off! I'm glad the judges saved him right away. That kid is an exceptional talent.

richidoo · « **Reply #4 on:** 26 Mar 2011, 10:26 pm »

Hi Maxcast, we enjoy watching it too, ever since the final when Ruben Studdard won.

There are some excellent singers this season. J Lo and Tyler bring a nice friendly flavor to the show. I don't miss Cowell's attitude, but I do miss his honest and usually accurate critiques, although last season not so much. These judges are too soft now, but they picked better finalists this time.

I think Pia Toscano will take it - 10 more weeks of rehearsals and building confidence will make her untouchable. She is a mature artist, looks good, perfect raw materials for the pop hit extruder.

My wife likes Stefano, he has the vocal chops, but his style is not fully sorted yet.

We live near Scotty, and Scotty fever is all around us...

I don't know what to say about Casey. The kid's got talent, and some big problems. I hope he lasts long enough to finish his time fair and square - before his docs yank him.

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #5 on:** 27 Mar 2011, 01:35 am »

The men (ok, boys as Casey is in there

) are better, all in all, than the gals - a relative rarity from previous AI versions.

Among them James Durbin stands tallest of all. There's a lot of fine talent on this edition....but, James is simply spectacular. It's often a popularity contest that he may not win...but, that dude no longer has to worry about being gainfully employed ever again.

I think the second most employable, perhaps not 2nd best, is the young country crooner Scotty McCreery. 18 years old? - stunning, dulcet crooning from that fella' whose love/expertise is in a growing Country Music genre

John

Bill O'Connell · « **Reply #6 on:** 8 Apr 2011, 02:42 am »

Well Pia just was voted off

Best singer in the entire group.
I now have no need to watch, the rest of the group,who cares.

richidoo · « **Reply #7 on:** 8 Apr 2011, 04:26 am »

Yeah, Bill, that's a damned shame. This will probably have a silver lining effect for her career. A lot of people will be pissed not to be able to hear her sing any more and want to buy something. I think they will oblige us asap.

Did you see Steve Tyler say "WTF?" Bet those judges wish they had a save left in their pockets.

They invented the save was after Constantine's big shock elimination. Here he is 6 years later still trying to make it work. That's persistence!

It's definitely a popularity contest, not a singing contest anymore. She isn't wild and weird enough to appeal to reality show junkies. Talent is low on the priority list.

I think the undeserved complimenting of even the worst performances by the judges doesn't help the viewers realize who is really good and who is crap.

richidoo · « **Reply #8 on:** 11 Apr 2011, 11:58 am »

Record Deal for Pia done:
http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/pia-toscano-inks-record-deal-shock-american-idol/story?id=13336819

MaxCast · « **Reply #9 on:** 11 Apr 2011, 12:33 pm »

It was a shock to me too when Pia got voted off. She is not a natural in the stage presence category but she can sing. Glad she got a deal. Hell, they all can sing pretty darn good.

jtwrace · « **Reply #10 on:** 11 Apr 2011, 12:42 pm »

and she's got a date

http://www.tmz.com/2011/04/09/pia-toscano-mark-ballas-american-idol-dancing-with-stars-dinner-date-video-voted-off-century-city-paula-abdul/

Matty_J · « **Reply #11 on:** 12 Apr 2011, 11:51 pm »

It makes me wonder how they can top next year. Yes it is sad this is a popularity contest, but that is the way it is and always has been. I def do not miss the judges of the past, and Randy needs to go next- Dawg

Quiet Earth · « **Reply #12 on:** 13 Apr 2011, 01:16 am »

I thought this was the music circle . . .

Matty_J · « **Reply #13 on:** 4 May 2011, 08:28 pm »

Hey ya'll, Idol isn't over yet, did you give up? Finally getting to the real good stuff!

ebag4 · « **Reply #14 on:** 4 May 2011, 08:36 pm »

I think the best (Casey) lost last week. Go Hailey!!

Best,
Ed

craig223 · « **Reply #15 on:** 4 May 2011, 08:46 pm »

I agree with you Quiet Earth, the show needs one more new judge. Hopefully one with a bigger vocabulary.

Marbles · « **Reply #16 on:** 4 May 2011, 09:17 pm »

Quote from: ebag4 on 4 May 2011, 08:36 pm

I think the best (Casey) lost last week. Go Hailey!!

Best,
Ed

Hailey is easy to look at, but James is a better performer.

ebag4 · « **Reply #17 on:** 4 May 2011, 09:37 pm »

Quote from: Marbles on 4 May 2011, 09:17 pm

Hailey is easy to look at, but James is a better performer.

James rocks no doubt, but I like the bluesy flavor of Hailey's voice.

MaxCast · « **Reply #18 on:** 5 May 2011, 10:04 am »

I think James and Hailey are the best singers for my tastes. I was sorry to see Casey go as I usually liked him too. For Casey I don't think he picked all the right songs and over did his voice in the later rounds. Hell, Lauren is good too.
I'd like to made a compilation of them singing songs I pick.

jtwrace · « **Reply #19 on:** 5 May 2011, 11:08 am »

Quote from: Marbles on 4 May 2011, 09:17 pm

Hailey is easy to look at, but James is a better performer.

Umm. and she's like 16.