<p>And American Idol will be starting up in a couple of weeks. According to neighborhood scuttlebutt, someone I know will be trying out…</p>
<p>piece of news in our local paper that Melanie Amaro has always wanted to pursue nursing, and plans to continue schooling. Somehow I think that is probably where she is meant to be. </p>
<p>I’m still not sure why she won. Her voice is amazing, but I was never sure she has the drive or the X factor to pursue a music career.</p>
<p>IMO–She definitely doesn’t have the X Factor.</p>
<p>OK, it’s finally here: American Idol. We’re just watching it now on the West Coast.</p>
<p>What do the East Coasters think so far?</p>
<p>One good change: I think they finally “get it”. Tonight AI spent less time on the ridiculous non-talented singers and stupid backstories and more time on actual singing auditions. I hope they continue to do so.</p>
<p>Ughh - not again! </p>
<p>I switched the TV to “Coast Guard Alaska” and have somehow not gotten around to telling my W that AI is on but she usually doesn’t watch the first slew of shows anyway because they fill it with stupidity and annoying people.</p>
<p>Edit - Just saw the post from ‘nysmile’ above - it’s good if they’re getting rid of the stupid stuff but just to be safe, I’ll keep it on the cliff rescue show.</p>
<p>I thought tonight’s season premier of AI from Savannah was kind of ho-hum or maybe it’s just hard to watch 2 hours of opening round action. </p>
<p>I liked Shannon (the tall girl whose dad was a pitcher in the World Series for the Cards), Gabi (the girl who also tap dances), Lauren Mink (the country singer who works with special needs adults), and Philip Philips Jr. guitar playing more than his voice (the last guy they featured but thought he was hard to watch with his facial contortions).</p>
<p>Well, I’m glad that the woman who lived in the backwoods in a tent got a trip to Hollywood. Thank goodness her voice wasn’t all that bad! I also thought that Philip Phillips was better with his guitar. I suppose an instrument keeps you on pitch better.</p>
<p>NYsmile, I’m with you … much prefer them focusing on talent versus ridiculousness. I did like the energy and smile of the last guy, but I agree that he was a bit over the top in facial contortions and growls. Tent lady had a surprisingly great voice. I could just imagine her practicing in the woods with her singing as she washed clothes or organized her site. I’m sure the woods make a great backdrop for really hearing every note clearly. </p>
<p>So far so good … I do like AI the most of these singing talent shows. They don’t add all the props until the singers advance much further and prove to us and themselves that they are the big time.</p>
<p>the brother and sister were my favorites. Once again thank goodness for that ff button. watched the whole two hours in thirty minutes…</p>
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<p>I guess you’re not a fan of Dave Matthews or John Mayer then, jshain? :)</p>
<p>^You’re right mom not a big fan of either BUT I did like Casey from last season on AI, and he was also a facial contortionist and a growler!?</p>
<p>Not sure I can tolerate another season of AI but will keep up here to see when it’s worthwhile to tune in. That point never came last season so I’m hoping for a better crop this year. </p>
<p>I can’t listen to John Mayer or Dave Matthews, not because of facial contortions, but because they sound like they have marbles in their mouths. I find their sounds - just annoying.</p>
<p>I started watching it…swore I would not. But being able to FF through commercials and boring parts was a great tip I got on here :)</p>
<p>I really liked the last guy. </p>
<p>As always the cynic, I was not entirely convinced that tent girl really lives in a tent. She might just be riding on a hunch that a great sobby backstory works wonders on these shows. The tent surroundings seemed rather not ‘invested in’ or lived in much. Where were their clothes and where was the source of water? Why not a camp stove instead of a fire to heat food? And if you’ve ever actually cooked on a fire, you quickly learn the importance of a real or makeshift ‘grill’ over the top. In this case, there wasn’t one. What’s with her boyfriend working so hard in different jobs…and she doesn’t mention working herself. It seemed about as authentic as Melanie’s accent.</p>
<p>re brother and sister: It didn’t sound to me like the brother could sing at all, I think they were sent on to create some fake drama. But I do love the judges, I’m glad they are back.</p>
<p>Despite saying that I would not watch this season I did tune in last night.</p>
<p>What H and I noticed the most was even though the judges liked certain people and sent them on to Hollywood we thought many did not sound all that great.</p>
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<p>starbright, my H said exactly the same thing. He wasn’t buying that story.</p>
<p>showmom, I agree with you. It was difficult to understand why several of them were sent through.</p>
<p>showmom & alwaysamom - We thought the same thing. Most that went through were passable but not all that great. Rather vanilla.</p>
<p>Oh gosh–too much of the stupid back stories tonight. What a waste of air time!
When will they learn to stick to the music/auditions and leave it at that? I can’t take 1/2 a show wasted on backstories.</p>
<p>Okay, I tuned in by accident for 30 seconds only to hear a forlorn kid talking about dropping out of high school and the judges pretending they didn’t know it. Does anyone remember Queen for a Day?</p>