@mommaj,
I couldn’t watch through to the end of AI until tonight.
Yes, there was an approx 15 min break whereby the judges left to figure out the list. We all just figure it is to meet with the producers who will give them the list of who they think should go through.
I was really surprised that they aired some of Ryan seacreast’s rapping that he did during the commercial break.
Personally, I like Trent and don’t really like Shelby and I like Jenn. I try to imagine if the singer’s voice is distinctive enough to make it recognizable to sell songs. And to what commercial audience should this appeal to. To me, Shelby sounds great singing Heart etc but I don’t see as much commercial lanes for this. Are audiences going to start buying heart-like music? I love Ruben studdard’s voice and he really runs in a Luther vandross lane, but you just don’t hear that much about him because most folks are not buying those types of songs. I believe he has released songs, but they don’t get much commercial sales and success.
Also the AI producers probably feel like they’ve ticked off a country box with Genevieve already.
Also agreed that the song choice is to show off the AI alum. It’s what will drive music sales.
I don’t think the contestant got to pick the song for the duet. And I doubt the contestant gets to pick his own songs either. They may give them a list of several to choose from, but I don’t think they get to pick just ANY song.
The AI of today is very different from the early seasons. Back then, they had specific genres each week and the contestant had to perform in that genre. They were looking for versatility. A few years ago, they started expecting the contestant to know what kind of artist they wanted to be and to twist every song to match their own style. I really thought it was more of a challenge to have to sing different types of music (not take a pop song and make it country, etc). I still remember Kelly Clarkson on “Big Band” week (or whatever) singing “Stuff Like That There.”
Yeah, I think there is some discord in what you’re saying about the “looks” factor @Busdriver - first of all, “attractive” to one is not “attractive” to another - and then your comments about Shelbie and then Trent just don’t make sense! I personally am not a fan of either but it has nothing to do with how they look!
Next week the judges will chose 8 of the 14 to stay. Then America gets to vote for 2 more “wildcards” out of the remaining 6 to make it a top 10. So if you’re not performing next week, you’re done.
I beginning to really like Olivia - seems like a nice girl with a rocking voice. Was happy to see Lee Jean move on - adorable his admiration for Chris D!
I do feel like the looks of a couple on that stage at the end - specifically Adam and Kory - looked like they knew they were not going to be the chosen ones. AI is going to look for the “it” factor in ADDITION to voice - and if you don’t have “it” you’re at risk even if your voice is fabulous.
FYI, Mackenzie was also on The Voice. Don’t know how far he made it.
Finally, you have to appreciate all the success that HAS come out of Idol. To see half a dozen Idols on that stage - and that they represent country, theater, rock, pop, etc. - I think that is quite impressive. I think that is something that will be realized this year - the sheer #'s of people who DID carve out a music career because of Idol.
“Yeah, I think there is some discord in what you’re saying about the “looks” factor @Busdriver - first of all, “attractive” to one is not “attractive” to another - and then your comments about Shelbie and then Trent just don’t make sense! I personally am not a fan of either but it has nothing to do with how they look!”
It certainly wouldn’t be the first time a post of mine didn’t make sense.
To try to break it down, I am not a fan of things that distract me while I’m watching. I want to enjoy the performance, not be distracted by an odd habit or bizarre look. It has nothing to do with a candidate being attractive or not. Odd facial contortions, Scotty holding the mike like a taco, the lady with the dead animal on her head, James having massive tics (may not sound sympathetic, but I am very familiar with Tourettes, and there are ways to control them). People with huge numbers of piercings, the pierced nose cow ring thing, the contestant who had the skunk dyed haircut. Not all of these are things that people can easily control, but some of it they can. It’s not that I think everyone should look alike, but if you have something odd and distracting about you that people focus on, it may not enhance your performance, in my opinion. It distracts from it.
I think they completely favor people who they think are attractive. You can tell, they talk about looks all the time. They almost didn’t let Clay Aiken go to Hollywood just because he looked like a skinny nerd. When is the last time you saw them let an overweight white woman go very far? Can you think of any? I think it was last season they had two female singers compete against each other on a singoff to go to Hollywood, even though they had already decided whom to let go through, but changed their mind when the other one walked in, beautifully dressed, and they, “liked her style”. They will always promote looks over talent, maybe they think it is more marketable. And while people have different ideas of attractive, after watching all these years, I’m pretty confident of what their idea of attractiveness is.
^^To add onto my last post, here is what I think the AI judge’s idea of attractiveness is. I can tell by their fawning comments, immediate smiles, talking about their looks (and JLo’s salivating over the young guys, which is kind of gross). I think for women, they want as close to a young Brittany Spears or Selena Gomez as possible. The younger, the better (without looking like a child), the thinner, the better (without looking anorexic). Well made up, edgy stylish clothing, preferably showing plenty of leg and other body parts without appearing sleazy. The more you get away from that, the less they like you. If you have a specific lane that is unique, they might overlook that, but otherwise, I think they favor contestants like that, to their peril. I think Shelbie is very pretty, but that’s the only reason I can think they would not choose a powerful voice like hers over many of the others.
@busdriver11 , I have to appreciate your humor in post #143 - you made me chuckle!
I do understand what you are saying to a point. Even comparing Phillip Phillips gestures to Trent’s - Phillip’s were somehow enduring - Trent’s is not (for me). I do get that. And I think I can embrace what you are saying.
This I think is part of the culture “we” have created. Pretty in front of the camera = successful and successful = $$$.
I will note that Candace Glover did win one year and another contestant Mandisa did quite well. Those two come to mind right off the bat to me.
Yes, I saw the comment. Being honest, I chose to ignore the “white” part because I don’t get the significance of singling out “overweight white woman” over “overweight black woman” or “overweight Indian woman” or so on.
“Yes I know they are black - but I didn’t imagine that he was referencing color AND weight…but whatever.”
Hey! I’m a she, and sometimes a slightly overweight white woman myself, with many overweight white women as friends and relatives, so maybe I have a chip on my no longer skinny shoulder…
I was referencing color, weight, and sex. They seem to have no serious issue with overweight men or overweight black women, but it seems the kiss of death for the white ladies. That’s just my perception. I loved, loved, loved Candace Glover, and I think she has been successful, but just not on the pop charts. One of my absolute favorites was a women who got bit by the issue I’m referring to (Erika Van Pelt, season 11). She was phenomenal, I was so disgusted she got voted off. I just don’t care if someone is not young and tiny and gorgeous, I want them to sound great.
Can someone explain the Wildcard thing to me and what is going to happen next? I’m not sure I have this part figured out exactly. They seem to be getting rid of so many finalists.
Here’s what it is. (tomorrow nights show was actually taped today).
First of all, as of earlier today, Olivia was in the hospital with the flu.
Had to edit! News is things changed!
So at the top of the show the judges will chose 4 contestants to automatically be in the top 10. No need for them to sing tomorrow night. Then, the remaining 10 will sing for 6 wildcard spots to be determined by America’s vote. So Thursday those will be announced at the top of the show and 4+6 = 10 will sing.
If any of you are in the Pacific Time Zone, what time does AI come on there? I will be out of town next week, but will be able to watch. It comes on at 7:00 in the Central zone.
I think it’s two hours later. But I’m not even talking about that kind of spoiler. If I were on the West Coast and didn’t want to know, I’d stay off this thread. I’m talking about when people look things up ahead of time, a la abasket.
