<p>I’m not a fan of the show. If not for our cousin being on it, I wouldn’t watch. Of the judges, I think Harry is the bluntest, perhaps because he has musical training. Maybe it’s just him. </p>
<p>Other than a ton of Facebook posts, I haven’t talked with Sam’s grandparents. I wonder what they do with their days. Since Sam is a minor, Roy has to stay with him at the hotel but I assume the days are spent doing their own things. My wife points out on The Voice they show bits of coaching sessions. You know that’s also going on with these kids, along with the practices and photo shoots. </p>
<p>And, as my wife just reminded me, there are 3 high schoolers and they’re being tutored so they can still graduate.</p>
<p>Since one of my kids works in TV, I pay a lot of attention to the amount of production done. They have a ton of prepared material about each kid, including an exit package for each that has to be set for each week’s show. Remember, the voting ends Thursday AM and the show is live that night with the package updated and ready to go. I wonder how they do the security about that, meaning who knows and when. </p>
<p>sistersunnie, while watching Phil perform, I actually said out loud (to myself and my dog), “Is he on something?” He seemed different than what I remembered from his season on AI.</p>
<p>I really don’t have a favorite this year. No one really has stood out, but I think a lot of that has to do with song selection. I think Jessica’s voice is strongest of the girls, but I’m not wild about her personality. And being from Texas, I like the country boys (they remind me of people near and dear to me) but I don’t really like the “new” country music. I guess I’m just an old fogey. <em>sigh</em></p>
<p>Lergnom, During Sam’s performance Wednesday they showed his uncle in the audience. He was wearing a black cap. I was curious how he was related to Sam?</p>
<p>Randall (Randy) Woolf is a composer in NYC. Has won a Guggenheim and other awards. Sam’s father is his brother. Randy’s wife Kathleen Supove is one of the most talented pianists I’ve ever heard. She concentrates on contemporary pieces, many of extreme difficulty. And she does performance art. </p>
<p>I thought everybody was much improved over last week. Personally, I think Majesty may be in trouble. I thought that song was way too big for her and she was so pitchy it almost hurt my ears. I can’t believe Harry didn’t say something about it, although I found it odd that JLo said something about what they hear in the studio may be different than what we hear on the television.</p>
<p>JLo called CJ a frontrunner after tonight. For me, that kind of sums up the talent (or lack thereof) this season. I think Ben Briley will be in the bottom 3 and may be going home. Benny And The Jets… seriously??? I’m hoping Jessica doesn’t go home. I really like listening to her. Reminds me of a countrified version of Stevie Nicks.</p>
<p>My favs were Alex and Jena. Fantastic and current. I really, really think that they are perhaps the two most talented. I love Majesty but she tanked last night. Malaya is playing the “I’ll sing whatever you want just to stay on the show” game - the songs she are singing seem to be no representation of what type of singer she wants to be - because I don’t think she really knows!!!</p>
<p>Caleb did a great job as well last night. Took a risk, but it was a risk he could handle. LIked it alot. </p>
<p>Jessica started off good and then either because of the band mess up or whatever she just emotionally faded away. Even when the judges talk to her she is FLAT. And did you see how she just walked off the stage without any regard to talking to Ryan. She can be good but just strikes me as a little odd.</p>
<p>Hoping Sam stays out of the bottom - thinking with that voting they show (HATE that) that his fans will have stepped up voting after the show. He had a decent night but being first is hard - hard to be remembered. Still love the tone of his voice.</p>
<p>Again Alex gave me goosebumps. Again, not just a singer but a MUSICIAN. Jena behind the piano = great performance. </p>
<p>Tonight is the big $$ night. Get through tonight and you get on the tour. I think that’s the main goal of a few of these contestants - not necessarily winning, but getting on the tour. </p>
<p>^Enjoyed seeing this…starting watching during season 9, electrified by Adam Lambert’ performances. Interesting that he’s worth twice as much as Chris, the winner. There hasn’t been a rock stylist since then that comes close. James Durbin was good, and I like Caleb, but neither is as unique and surprising as Adam.</p>
<p>I’m glad last night went as well as it did. Maybe I liked it because I was familiar with most of the music, for a change, but I do think most of the contestants either stepped out of their comfort zone, or reinforced their talents for their unique style, which made the show more interesting.</p>
<p>I thought the performances were, on the whole, better than the prior week’s and that stage experience showed more and generally for the better for the older performers. </p>
<p>Disappointed to see that the producers defanged Harry to the point that he was praising people who sang wildly out of tune. With this lackluster bunch, his honest comments were the one worthwhile element to the show this year. Now we’re slipping back into Steven Tyler-esque “beautiful, beautiful” critiques. Bleh. </p>
<p>Since two of the contestants sang songs that Kris Allen had performed on the show, I headed over to Youtube to re-watch his renditions. Not such a good idea I guess–now the current crop seems even worse to me.</p>
<p>I have to disagree pretty strongly with Harry that this is the most talented group of AI’s history. Thinking back to some of the earlier shows where contestant after contestant would blow you away, making the march to the finale quite exciting, and at times frustrating, I’m struggling to come up with more than 1 or 2 contestants who could have made the top 13 of any of those great seasons.</p>
<p>Actually 3 contestants sang songs Kris Allen performed on the show – Come Together, Falling Softly, To Make you Feel My Love. After that season one blogger said Kris and Adam broke the show, and while I’ve enjoyed individual performances since then the overall level of energy and performance just hasn’t been there.</p>
<p>The list for net worth is interesting but I’ve seen other lists that are wildly different than that one. These are guestimates that likely are off with some of those individuals, not to mention leaving out others who are not mentioned. The reality is that Kelly and Carrie are the only two who have really ‘made it big’, and no one in this year’s group is likely to change that. </p>
<p>I only saw Alex’s performance last night and I still like him. He’s different, and talented, and a terrific musician. I’m amazed that Harry said this was the most talented group ever, did he really say that?! Really? I actually forgot it was on last night and we were watching a hockey game. My H happened to flip over to it when Alex was on. I have watched since the first season and it used to be that I couldn’t imagine missing an episode. No longer. </p>
<p>^^^^Yes, Harry has said that numerous times. I like Harry and find a lot of his criticism to be spot on, but I could not disagree more with that assessment.</p>
<p>I am not kidding when I say I believe the judges are asked or prodded to say that statement - they all do, every year. Harry is Just the talkative one this season so we hear him more than the others.</p>
<p>I think the voters got it right this week, based on last night’s performances. I also do not think this year’s group is the best talent they’ve ever had. Not even close.</p>
<p>I figured out the vote difference was something over 450,000 given what Seacrest said. And family is out pushing for 50 votes here and there. Makes you think …</p>
<p>BTW, Sam will be 18 in a month so his grandpa won’t have to tour with him. </p>
<p>Lergmom, THRILLED that Sam will get to tour! That experience will do so much for his confidence on stage. I agree that last night missing the top 10 is the worst night to be voted off. </p>
<p>It was rough seeing both Sam and Majesty in the bottom - both have been top contenders IMO. I personally think the judges would have “saved” either of them. Luckily, that didn’t come into play. :)</p>
<p>As much as I like Harry as a person now, I just could not take him seriously when performing - especially the slow part of his performance! I know that’s who he is as a performer, but knowing his fun personality it was weird to see that serious side. Also, that type of music not my cup of tea, but…</p>