I have found Keith to also be judging without much substance this year. Harry looks like he is not fully in the game. Interesting. If the show renews for another year, I wonder if the 3 will be back.
Since Simon left, they seem to have swung in the opposite direction to be mamby pamby and not really honest in their reviews. It’s mostly cotton candy and lollipops. Didn’t they have a contestant from the earlier years suicide? Perhaps there is a good chance there was accusation of blame on the show. And then there was Paula’s stalker.
As for jLo’s costumes, many were skimpy but what “looked” revealing was really flesh tones Lycra in some cases. That said, she can move.
Keith seems to give more substantive feedback early on and then tends to sugar coat everything when the field gets reduced to the top-10 or so. It’s as if he doesn’t want to sway the voters at that point in the show. Seems to me as if that’s been his m.o. ever since he’s been a judge.
The show hasn’t been the same without Simon or Jimmy. I would be shocked if AI made the decision to not bring Jimmy back, unless the parting of ways was over money. I’m betting it was Jimmy’s decision. Probably could find out by doing some searching online.
I also do not think Ryan Seacrest is bringing his “A-Game” this season. He, like us, is probably also disappointed with the overall quality of the performers and is just going through the motions, imo.
The one artist who I would have loved to see get into the top-24 was Jess. She was the girl at the Kansas City auditions who jammed with Harry on the piano. I think her age may have hurt her. She was 29 or so if memory serves me correctly.
Interesting to look back at Nick’s audition - do you remember that he was actually there with a significant other and wasn’t sure if he was going to audition himself? (you can see her standing in the background) - I believe she didn’t go through.
His voice actually sounds pretty good in the audition without all the band accompaniment.
http://www.americanidol.com/watch/384967235691/7716941568
But on the show they seem to keep giving him loud band numbers.
I remember that too abasket, that Nick came with his girlfriend. But there has been no mention of any girlfriend or any supporter at all during the season. Wonder if they broke up.
The only mention was one of the judges (Harry?) saying the other night , “and to think you almost didn’t audition” - so maybe he was really there more for the GF’s audition???
Wonder how she feels IF they broke up and with all his success!
I somehow missed Nick’s hometown visit so I watched it yesterday. He may be bland in terms of his vocal acrobatics but his hometown visit was the best, which will pull a lot of heartstrings. I also thought Clark had a great hometown. Jax is definitely in the game, but her range of styles she is attempting has me lost in terms of what audience she is trying to grab. I would put it between Nick and Clark at this point, with my personal favorite being Clark but with me guessing Nick will charm the voters more with his consistent performances and good looks.
Heard on the radio this morning that next season will be the final one for AI. Not surprised.
This wasn’t a surprise to me. I’m happy that they are giving it a farewell season instead of just ending this year.
I hope that next year they bring back LOADS of past contestants to perform! They may not be top 40 artists, but many have gone on to do some good things. 
Reminder that the final performance night is tonight with results (finale) Wednesday.
Also, I heard on the radio today that Simon Cowell is creating a new show for FOX that will begin a year after the final year of AI, which I guess would be 2018. In other words, there will be a one-year gap between the last AI and this new show.
Well, that elimination was unexpected!
Yeah. That was kinda weird. Nothing like getting straight to the point.
I like Clark.
Nick lives one town over from my in-laws and they actually went down to the hometown visit! MIL took a selfie with him AND got his autograph on her Idol sign. Lots of CT Italian pride. 
I don’t think Clark’s single suited him very well, but his first two songs were great.
Okay, as much as I like Jazz and Clark, I think Nick will win. He is likable and him showing off some basic piano skills shows that he is more than a good looking singer. Clark can run circles around him musically, but Clark has that wall in front of him that stops me from imagining him as a pop star in the way they are packaged up. Nick is good looking, and he is consistent, but if you want a singer that can sell records and get people behind you, he is that more than Clark.
When Clark comes to VT, I will be the first in line, but Nick is the Idol that is a package for American Pop and Rock.
I think Nick is more “commercial,” but I like them both.
Summary:
Clark is by far the better voice and musician. He is my favorite. I like him enough that I’d be thrilled for him to win but also perhaps, happy for him not to have to win and work with Scott.
Nick wants it. I don’t care for his voice or his style and I don’t think he’s all that talented as a singer. IT’s clear the show wants him to win. They only ask one judge at the end who will win, Keith says “Nick” - and voila! The show ends!!! How rude.
The elimination of Jax also rude and so defeating and brought the whole show to a HALT. What an awkward way to start the big night. Also, all 3 looked dressed PATHETICALLY at the beginning. That was totally weird.
Those coronation songs were awful. Both, just awful. Teenybopper with a capital T! Cheesy! Clark totally got screwed with that assignment - so NOT him!
Here’ s the only other thing I’ll say. If the winner is supposed to perform the Women’s World Soccer Cup song, how can it NOT be Clark! He’s a former soccer player, with a song called “Champion” and a last name of BECKHAM - come on!!! HAHA
I didn’t notice what the boys were wearing at the beginning, but I thought Jax looked awful. That dress just didn’t fit right or something. And then she was gone, never to be seen again. Also, I thought she was 16 but I noticed last week that it flashed her age as 19 in that little box with her name it. I guess I had her mixed up with one of the younger ones.