"American Idol" semifinalists make dismal debut
Was that really "American Idol" on Tuesday? It looked more like "American Clunker."
Twelve of the 36 semifinalists "performed" last night, and I use that term loosely, with amazingly mediocre results. For most of them, it was a textbook demonstration on why song choice is such a key factor. Why do the gals keep choosing songs from the intimidating Whitney Houston or Aretha Franklin catalogs? Those are huge songs. So when someone like Ann Marie Boskovich attempts Miss Franklin, it's bound to sound utterly limp.
But others were just as bad. Was Stephen Fowler even on key last night? And poor Casey Carlson and Stevie Wright were just lousy. (The top guy, top girl and then next highest vote getter move on tonight; everyone else prays for redemption as a wild card pick later in the series.)
Best of the night: Easily Danny Gokey. The recent death of his wife makes him a compelling and sympathetic figure. But, Gokey (seen here) also can sing with a soulfulness and feeling that clearly separated him from the other 11. He earned a standing ovation by singing, ironically, "Hero." Judge Randy Jackson called him "the redeemer of the night." But, interestingly, Simon Cowell was not ready to jump on the Gokey bandwagon: ""Danny, I like you. I'm just not buying the hype tonight, right now."
Weirdest moment of the show: What happened to annoying, cloying Tatiana Del Toro? Miss Drama Queen was nowhere to be seen. Some scarily subdued chick was there in her place. Even the judges were stunned by the transformation. I want Tatiana off the show but not like this. This Tatiana was such a sad imitation of Diva Tatiana. She should go out in style.
Comments:
I finally watched American Idol last night. I had to do one of these:
"DUDE.... DUUUUUDE....are you serious right now with this."
you went through thousands upon thousands of contestants..and ...this is the best you found?
I've heard way better at just regular gigs around town.
What was sad was the backup singers were so much better than the contestants..they shoulda been up there. I guess its cliche by now, but "american idol sucks".
Posted by: Patrick Contreras at February 18, 2009 10:37 AM
I'm probably severely in the minority on this one, but I prefer Carole King's rendition of the song to Aretha's (Carole did write it after all).
Listening to last night's performances again today, they all sound incredibly nervous more than anything else (Stevie and Casey were just terrible, nerves or otherwise). It was the first time they'd been live on TV and on the big stage and I think the Final 12 rounds are gonna suffer from the performers having less time to get comfortable on the big stage.
And I think the Tatiana we came to know and love/hate was, at least partially, an invention of the producers & editors.
Posted by: Jason at February 18, 2009 4:33 PM
What I want to know is what the heck was Jackie Tohn wearing? Hey, Jackie...the 80's called...they want their Lycra pants back. Was that some kind of homage to so-called glam metal? Gave me the willies. Poor Stevie and Casey. Pretty girls--too back they choked. And what was that song Brent Keith picked? C'mon, dude. "Hicktown?" What were you thinking? My top picks from last night are Danny Gokey and Anoop Desai. Let's hope the next 12 do better, because last night was like watching a train wreck. Yeeeeeessshhh!!!
Posted by: Marietta at February 18, 2009 7:43 PM
Felicia, sorry I'm late on this...just watched the DVR'd episodes last night. I mean, I just fast-forwarded the episodes last night.
Gol-lee...that was the worst set of 12. Twice I had to say "Who?" That's a shame...people they didn't even feature in the first three weeks of AI got to sing for America once, then poof! gone. How were we supposed to like/support people where we didn't even get to see their first auditions?
As it turned out, those two (and 9 others) sucked bigtime. Randy started the show by saying how they have amazing talent this year. I only saw Danny. Oil Rig Harry (or whatever) is boring and has a weak voice but a nice story. They could have created that story for one of the auf'd guys (sorry, Project Runway reference), but the producers chose the roughneck instead.
Tatiana actually did a nice job, but she was clearly CLEARLY only there as a producer's choice. No way she had the chops to stay in the top 36, and then they didn't give her nearly enough time to go crazy in this week's episodes...but America had decided about her a looong time ago.
At the end of last night's eliminations, they showed the remaining AI singers to come. For 2/3 of them, I asked "who??" AI has done a really poor job of telling the stories of the final 36...and meanwhile I had to stare at a sullen Jamar while Danny took a standing ovation, and wonder how the heck they had the nerve to cut him in the first place.
AI really is a train wreck this year, but I have a feeling it'll come together as we see who emerges to challenge Danny for the crown, and as we watch Danny transform from church music leader into a star. I would certainly buy his album right now, tho.
Posted by: Stephen at February 19, 2009 7:19 AM
@Stephen: I agree about the lack of identity for some of these folks in the semifinal group of 36. I have no idea who they are because AI chewed up too much time on particular people (like Tatiana). That's a definite disadvantage when voting comes into play.
Speaking of Tatiana. Did you see how the Diva Tatiana returned last night? She almost stole the spotlight from Danny Gokey, who got the third slot. Did you see how she moved off stage completely to the left but then came back to a spot where she would be directly behind him in camera range while he sang? Everyone else was doing their best to be gracious, but she had to mount the big drama queen act. No way should she score a wild card pick.
Posted by: felicia matlosz at February 19, 2009 9:36 AM
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