Saturday, May 24, 2008

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Your American Idol is David Cook.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HByINm6Bgbs
Your new American Idol is (as I told you!) DAVID COOK.
I don’t think this was surprising at all but it really seemed I was in the minority. (I got a lot of emails from people saying they hoped David C won, but thought David A won. I thought that was funny as it proved my point. More people liked David C.) I thought David C won this competition a few weeks ago, and clichéd it during the Top 3 when it became apparent that David A was unwilling or unable to sing anything that reached beyond adult contemporary. I think the Chris Brown song made him seem such and old soul (it seemed so out of place) that it hurt him. It also became apparent that David Cook could sing anything and not be terrible, he did Broadway, he did Roberta Flack, and he was fine.

David Cook is probably my favorite contestant of all time on the show, at least one of them. Unlike previous rockers, he didn’t have weeks where he was totally out of place or totally disinterested. (Daughtry had weeks, specifically his last week, where he didn’t care about the show at all and looked bored.) His body of work actually sounds like an album, probably more so than any artist since Clay way back in Season 2. (We actually put all of Clay’s songs on a cd that my sister listened too for like a year. She might still be listening to it.) The finale was good, although not as good as previous years. It didn’t hold my attention like those did. (Note: Is Amanda just a spoilsport, or drunk, or what was that? She was incoherent, and had trouble moving back and forth). And to totally shred any opinion that anyone might have of my musical tastes, I actually LIKED the final song. Maybe the moment helped. There was actually real emotion. David Archuletta might be better off as 2nd place, being 1st would make him more in the open, more interviews, etc. For a shy kid, that could be real hard. He seemed happy for David. It’s rare the person I want to win actually wins!

The order was definitely terrible, and the top 4/5 probably wasn’t the top 4/5 in terms of talent. We have some terrible performances, and two consistently good performers, and the better one wound up winning. Can’t complain about that too much. Congratulations David Cook, and I look forward to your cd.

BTW, Idol has a bit of a problem for next year. It’s not ratings in the sense people think, it’s still easily the highest rated show. The problem is they charge ad rates for a higher rated show, and they can’t reach that now. One of the people working here has someone he knows in marketing at Fox, and some of the things they are considering are very similar to thoughts I have (transparent data, a new judge, and shorter results shows). This is what I think they need.
1) Change the voting to something more manual. (Joel suggested something such as choosing a 1st and 2nd favorite, this would help mitigate the type of eliminations that have turned Idol into something similar to survivor at times, because people who are so-so but have decent fan bases creep along endlessly, not by being first, but just not from being last.) It would also cut down automated votes. Win-win all around I think.
2) Remove Paula. (Simon voiced some similar read between the line comments on new judges recently.) She’s always been a joke, but if she’s not even really paying attention, she needs to go. She marginalizes the judge’s role on the show by being so ridiculously bad.
3) Release voting data. (If you don’t want to release totals you can do percent, etc. Anything..) TV shows have limited shelf lives. Sports do not. What do sports have that this show does not have? Replaceable judges (refs, umpires) and tons of data to look at. Make Idol this once a year competition, not a once a year TV show. It might even outlast Simon like that. This would also allow Vegas to post real odds, not the odds that they post now that they will only take limited action on.. (They’ll take like $100 bets at most.) Betting increases interest.
4) Revamp what they show for auditions and Hollywood week. They reduced it a bit, which is fine BUT the problem is they reduced it and showed more people at the same time. Therefore, you had less connection with the Top 24/12 once we got there. Seriously, there should not be people in the Top 24 we never have seen considering the Top 24 is known through the editing process. Yes, it probably spoils some of the surprise, but if you ask “who is that?” about someone in the Top 12, that’s just wrong.
The way Idol is going, it’s basically on its last legs, even if it has a great contestant next year that makes it seem like it’s healthier than it is. Let’s see if anyone has the wherewithal to actually go through with some changes, or if they are content to milk it a bit longer as is,

As for the pool winners, the checks are literally in the mail for those of you who did not receive the money in cash yet…next year the pool will have a bonus for picking the winner I think. I need to work through the math a bit more.

I’ll probably discuss a bit more here for a while…
http://idol7pool.blogspot.com/

See you next year….it will be boring without Idol! Lol

JUAN

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

The Finale...

Ok, i saw the finale live and all of it for once! (I have bad luck with the finale, i've been stuck in other cities, had allergic reactions, etc.) I thought it was actually a great final. The Clay vs. Ruben season was miles better than this but I think people forget the finale was horrible. They were both so nervous, and were so friendly by that time it was an awful show. Carrie, Fantasia were coronations, Kelly was the only one good on her finale, Taylor's season was awful, and last year Jordin sang two (Two!) reprise songs and Blake did everything but announce the Idol single sucked while he was singing it. This was honestly the first finale we have ever had that both singers were good, and both seemed genuinely happy to be there and tried real hard. Kudos to them.

David Cook: I really liked him today. I thought his second song (the idol song) was the weakest performance, but that sing songy happy stupid idol song basically killed any chance of it being great. I was happy that he at least didn't sing something that sounded like a bad "Moment Like This" copy. I loved that he didn't do a reprise (i'm 100% anti reprise) although Simon seemed like he was almost pining for it. And anytime we can get some U2 I am a happy camper. Overall good, but not great. Not a slam dunk that would guarantee he would win.

David Archuletta: He was really good. I think he was better tonight, but I don't think it was anywhere near as much a slam dunk as the judges thought. Personally, i hate the reprise song. As great as it is, there is not anywhere close to the impact. It honestly struck me as a good time to flip over and watch the basketball game. Even Fantasia's "Summertime" way back when lacked impact the second time. It basically reinforces why you like the person if you already do. I don't think anyone not sold hears you sing the same song a second time and has the lightbulb go on that they like you NOW, but not before. His idol song wasn't bad, although it was very over the top corny. I HATE those songs, and I'm at a loss as to why Idol can't ever change anything, especially something the judges complain about every single time. He started with "Don't Let the Sun Come Down on Me" (Clive actually picked good songs this year) which I'm sure reminded some people of when Clay Aiken tore that song up (in a good way) way back in year 2. Simon seemed to think David A did enough to win. Randy and Paula liked him better to I think (especially Randy) but did he do enough to win?

(Note: I don't want to hear even ONE conspiracy theory because the "chosen one" was supposed to be David Cook the last three weeks and he got judged much more harshly today. For the chosen one theory to work, it must be consistent, not change week to week.)

The winner will be...

DAVID COOK.

I don't think David A did enough to win, and I think the fact he did a reprise and David Cook did not really hurt him, rather than have a comparison of the two, it just made him seem uninspired. David Cook just comes off as really genuine, happy to be there, and not young and immature. That's a very good combination. David A was also very good, but I just think there is something lacking there. I must have said this a 100 times, but he skews old, and skewing old is not a good thing when you are 17 and need teen girls to vote and push you to victory.

I'll be pretty suprised tonight if David Cook is not the next american idol. But we will see....)

Monday, May 19, 2008

Idol Finale!!! Clash of the Davids...

Here we are at the end of another season of the Idol. After a few months, we find ourselves at the finale that was apparent from the second or third week of the Top 12, the rocker David Cook vs. the teen David Archuletta. Neither person has every been in the bottom, not even coming close to a shock elimination.


David Archuletta:
As close to a frontrunner as we have had for the last three seasons, it was almost never in doubt he would be in the Top 12. He actually peaked during the Top 24, with his IMAGINE rendition making him a clear favorite. It actually looked at that point that there was a possibility of this season being like Carrie Underwood's season, with the whole show feeling just like a year long coronation. Since then, he's been consistenly good, but not great. He also suffers from at times feeling like he's a product, that someone else is choosing and arranging what he is doing. He'll pick songs from someone obscure he claims is his favorite, yet he'll not be familiar with The Beatles or Neil Diamond. Also, his youth is either something you find endearing or annoying, he's clearly somewhat shy. Most times he's interviewed, the answers are mostly giggles or 'aw shucks' type responses.


He's also coming in on some negative feelings, with his dad being kicked out of the rehearsals, and then his dad and others around him suggesting Idol is cheating for David Cook (by getting rid of him, of course. As if removing the annoying dad making his son nervous was a bad thing). He also had a bad final week due to the Chris Brown song choice, which was widely ridiculed. (In retrospect, the Chris Brown comparisons did make him look silly.) Still, he has a HUGE fanbase, and it's altogether possible that he goes into this final with more people assured of voting for him. Plus you'd think the Idol song, bad as I'm sure it will be, would suit him more.

He's yet to have his "Summertime" moment. This would be a hell of a time to achieve it.


David Cook:

The rocker who picks great song choices, and does (or chooses) great arrangements for his songs. Unlike David Archuletta, he's has quite a few high moments this season, Hello during the Top 24 (which bumped him up back of the pack to middle of the pack), Billie Jean, and then Always be My Baby during Mariah Carey week. He's older, more experienced, and has nobody annoying him like David Archuletta, so he comes into this week on a pretty good note. He's one of my favorite contestants of all time, and for me is really the high point of what has been a pretty disappointing season. (This season had the malaise of last season, less Melinda, Latoya or Sanjaya's sideshow.)


David Cook seems to have the most fans now, but I doubt he has the same fanatic supporters that David A has carried though. Still, when it's only two left, those fans are marginalized and the general public at large would seem to gravitate toward him. As well, the negative support (VFTW, Morning shows being funny, etc.) is all on David Achuletta's side, which really hurts once you are down to 3 or 4 people.

I've see the song choices, and David Cook's seem better suited to provide him a big moment. David A's big moment would seem to be his reprise song, which if you don't know what it is, you haven't been paying attention. The Idol song would seem to work in David A's favor (since it's destined to be a cheesy pop ballad), but from what I've heard, they are allowed more freedom to arrange it this year, so David Cook may be able to do something with that. You'd figure David A's version would be whatever he's given, more or less.

Should be an interesting show. My prediction - David Cook is great, David Archuletta slightly less (although Randy will say he's super great, best every dawg!) and David Cook becomes the next american idol!

JUAN

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Song Choice Spoilers, confirmed by TMZ..

David Cook
"First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" by Roberta Flack. (Simon's choice)
"Dare You to Move" by Switchfoot.
"I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" by Aerosmith.

Syesha Mercado
"If I Ain't Got You" By Alicia Keys. (Randy's choice)
"Hit Me Up" by Gia Farrell (from "Happy Feet").
(Producer's choice)"Fever" -- which has been covered by everyone. (Syesha's choice)

David Archuleta
"And So it Goes" by Billy Joel. (Paula's choice)"
With You" by Chris Brown. (David's choice)
"Longer" by Dan Fogelberg. (Producer's choice)

David A picked a good song for himsel, since the producers are determined to saddle him with songs from the 70's. He'll shine on that. Syesha singing Fever is interesting...it definitely should be memorable and you can win over Simon with the sex kitten routine. Idol obviously picked the Aerosmith song for David Cook, i'm not in love with it but I'm sure he does fine. If Syesha is not going to really really dance, Happy Feet is a stupid choice. So dance she must... Switchback is a nice choice, i like it better than Collective Soul for David (that song choice lacked a certain OOMPH.)

Should be good. David A might come across as slow and boring, but so could David C. Syesha won't, but she has the most possiblity for an all out mess.

JUAN

Song Choices

I'll update as I get info, and post my thoughts.

David Archuletta
Judge: Billy Joel - And So It Goes (Confirmed)
Producer: Dan Folgerberg - Longer (Unconfirmed but good source)
Personal: ?
Comments: The judges choice is awful, it's a very nice Billy Joel song, but it's not one of his most famous, and I can't see it leaving a mark. It's very similar to the Producer choice in tone and feel, which make's it even worse. Usually the producer's choice are somewhat bland, but the judge's are not. I hate when David A picks old people songs, and he's had two chosen for him.

David Cook
Judge: Roberta Flack - The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Confirmed)
Producer: ?
Personal: Collective Soul - The World I Know (Confirmed)
I don't like the personal song choice so much, he says he will put some edge to it. I hope so - it's a nice song but something's missing. I love Simon's choice, I think he feels David will arrange it into something spectacular. Funny Simon takes a gamble on his behalf.

Syesha Mercado
Judge: Alecia Keys - If I Ain't Got You (Confirmed)
Producer: ?
Personal: ?
Comments: Randy is setting her up to fail. She can't sing this as well as Alecia Keys does, she's obviously not into mainstream pop songs by her very flat, copycat renditions, and this has a large chance of coming off very flat and copycat. Why Randy?

More to come later...

Monday, May 12, 2008

TOP 3 - 2 WEEKS LEFT!!!


Top Three – Pool Scenarios
Danielle, Becky, Hong/Barbara and Leana all win under any scenario. Elliot has a few scenarios he finishes near the top. The problem is, all of our top contestants (everyone who had top five’s who went far) had David Archuletta as 1st – therefore no matter what order the Top Three wind up in, they all remain near the top. (If David A is first, they are all right, if he’s wrong, they are all wrong.) The new pool method did one thing this year, it removed the messy ties we would have had. (We would have had a bunch of people tied, and a bunch blocked from ever winning because so many people picked David A.)

Idol Top Three Preview
One Hour, Three Songs each, one each chosen by the contestant, the producers, and the judges. For any of these categories, there is NO potential of a reprise (something sung before). Both Melinda and Jordin sang songs a second time during this show last year, only Blake had three new songs. This has been disallowed for this year. (My god, Idol learning from their mistakes. That’s bizarre.) For the Judges choices (brace yourselves here) PAULA will be choosing David A’s song (poor him), Randy will be choosing Syesha’s song (Hint: Randy has not gotten the hint that Syesha is more comfortable with non R&B songs) and Simon pick for David Cook (it’s totally not what you’d expect).

Syesha is in a no lose situation here. If she gets to the Top Two, it’s a super upset, and she can’t be any happier. It will also make the finale a coronation for the remaining David, as she has almost no chance of winning this thing. David Cook is really going to shine this week I think. I think his song choices are great (you’ll see) and they will really resonate with the audience. I think he has a real chance for a Fantasia like coronation moment during this week. David Archuletta’s choices, I’m not as enamored with. I think it skews old for him again, and Paula put about 10 seconds of thought into it. I think he goes into this week a bit behind David Cook, and would really benefit from a strong week heading into the finale. The finale is generally a mess, the “Idol Single” always stinks, the contestant’s under perform, and whatever order we head into the final week in, usually holds up. So this week is really important for both of them, less so for Syesha, who really should just take this week as her moment, and enjoy it. I have yet to hear any of the producer’s song choices for the singers, hopefully they are strong. Last year they were not, Final three week was a mess, Melinda pretty much killed herself with a reprise, Blake had songs chosen for him which didn’t fit his voice, and Jordin was the benefactor. This year I think it will be better.

David A’s Dad removed from backstage at Idol.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/TV/05/11/archuleta.idol.ap/index.html
I really thought David A was better this week, maybe this is why? His dad has now been removed from backstage at TWO different shows.
Later I'll critique the song choices....