<p>The other thread for AI is old and has some of the other singing shows mixed in with it (The Voice, etc.) so I thought I’d start a new one for this current season (if anyone is watching!)</p>
<p>With much surprise, I am really enjoying the judges - especially Nicki! They seem to all take it pretty seriously and I just think that Nicki especially has a way with words with the contestants - when you watch her watch THEM she is INTENT. Keith is a sweetie and also seems vested. Mariah is a little flat to me (not flat chested however! which she is sure to put clearly in our face most shows!!!) but still kind and encouraging. And Randy seems to just kind of exist and put his “2 cents” in now and then.</p>
<p>Last night there were a couple who I might put some money on to go a long way.
First, “Sanni” (I think that was his name) - the 16 year old African American boy with the hat who also loves to dance - he reminded me - no offense intended - of an African American Justin Bieber! I think he has the “it” factor - more than just a good voice.</p>
<p>Also, the very short guy towards the end. American loves an underdog - an underdog with “it” - more than just a voice. He seems to have a lot of energy, seems to be a performer and not just a singer. We shall see!</p>
<p>A lot of the girls seem to have good voices, but not a lot of personality or stage performance. The one girl last night who had a 5 year old daughter and who wore a black sparkly very midriff top (ewww!) and a deep raspy voice may have some potential.</p>
<p>I’ve been pleased to see not much focus on the crazy, ridiculous contestants. Some, but less than usual. Thank goodness. </p>
<p>Who’s watching and what are your first impressions???</p>
<p>H and I tuned in to the first show, preparing for it to be a reason to stop watching—we have been regulars since the Adam Lambert season. But we have been pleasantly surprised with the new panel of judges! So we’re in for the season, for sure. There have been a number of amazing singers and mostly we try to guess which ones will be out after the first Hollywood week.</p>
<p>But we’ll also follow our previous practice of DVR-ing the show and fast forwarding through most everything except the backstories and performances.</p>
<p>I think the new panel of judges is great. Randy seems a lot more relaxed with the new crew – and I didn’t hear him say “pitchy” at all last night. :)</p>
<p>The short contestant, Matteous, was a contestant on “The Glee Project” last season. My daughters and I were amazed that this wasn’t mentioned by anyone on “American Idol.” His personality (on “The Glee Project” anyway) was a wee bit annoying and his singing, while good, was not quite at the same level as his competitors. He was eventually voted off.</p>
<p>Mary, didn’t watch Glee Project but appreciate that tidbit. I saw a preview of Glee shortly after The Voice winner was named this year, and it seemed the winner (girl w/ long brown hair, sometimes w/ spray paint in it) was on Glee? Was it recorded before she won?</p>
<p>Anyway, I’m mixing shows. I, too, do like the new AI judges. H is still depressed that J-Lo is gone, but he finally turned a leaf over on Nicki Minaj … I liked her from the beginning, but if you give her a chance, she does really look interested in the contestants and makes excellent observations.</p>
<p>I think the diva attitude is something Mariah and Nicki both have; you could see last night that Mariah was much more talkative and her personality showed more since Nicki wasn’t there for one of the audition days. I think it is never good to put two divas in a room and force them to share the air. Mariah has earned her diva-ness over many years of great songs. Nicki has wonderful diva qualities, but she should be more respective of her elder diva … she seems to poke at Mariah to get her going, and then Mariah responds with diva-ness snap which makes them both look petty.</p>
<p>Last night was the first I’ve seen this year of Idol, and I didn’t see the entire show. I did think that, as usual, the judges were being over complimentary to some contestants. I enjoyed Micah Johnson, who was by far the best one I saw. I did recall Matheus from the Glee Project but I wasn’t surprised at all that it wasn’t mentioned. Many of these contestants, especially those chosen to go to Hollywood, have had previous experience that would make them known.</p>
<p>I miss J-Lo, too but am enjoying Keith Urban and Mariah. Nicki Minaj has such an annoying voice that it makes it difficult for me to even listen to what she’s saying.</p>
I agree, alwaysamom. Her voice grates, but her appearance is what bugs me. She looks like a cross between a blowup doll and a Barbie doll. Her face looks like it’s painted on. I just can’t take her seriously.</p>
<p>I don’t know about the girl…but I did read online that one of “The Voice” finalists (Chris Mann) played a Warbler on “Glee.” I guess there’s a lot of crossover between these shows. It sort of detracts from the notion (or should I say, the myth) that these singing competitions are for unknown amateurs.</p>
<p>I agree that Nicki M’s voice is annoying but I am really enjoying her insightful comments. JLo really didn’t have much content in her comments nor did/does Steven Tyler or Randy Jackson, for that matter. So far, Keith Urban is by far the best judge and Randy is my lowest rated judge, IMHO. I am thoroughly enjoying Keith Urban’s performance assessments!</p>
<p>I heard that this afternoon about the Glee guy- I’m never a big fan when they have already had a chance at fame.</p>
<p>Nicki may dress quirky but at least she is covered up. :)</p>
<p>Tonight was a little weak contestant wise. I liked the Asian with the deaf parents - liked his higher toned voice. The teen with CF - I’m touched that the judges gave him the opportunity.</p>
<p>I have no idea why they let that national anthem woman go through.</p>
<p>“I have no idea why they let that national anthem woman go through.”</p>
<p>I know, she’s obviously fairly bad and obnoxious. Sometimes they let people go through like that just for entertainment value, I guess. Remember Norman? But then again, he was actually pretty good.</p>
<p>I have watched some of these sessions and am surprised at the relatively low quality. I can’t see many of the caliber of Crystal Bowersox (from a couple of seasons ago and is the one who got me started on AI) or Carly Rose Sonnenclar (who wouldn’t be old enough to enter American Idol but is extraordinarily talented) or several of the other singers from X Factor. Are there too many reality talent show contests now? I would think that folks from the Voice would be markedly superior to those on this show as well.</p>
<p>I actually found Nicki Minaj to be interesting (agree the voice is sometimes whiny) but I think she is cultivating an image in a smart way. And, abasket, you are right, Mariah is definitely not flat in at least one dimension.</p>
<p>I don’t think the shows are limited to unknown amateurs, just tend to rule out people whose current record contracts prohibit them from signing a recording contract with sponsoring company.</p>
<p>The story by the ‘celebrated military hero’ with the cute daughter born after he thought he was sterile sounded good but it was a lie. All I can say when I hear things like this is, how stupid are these people? Do they not realize that people who know them will see them, and hear the bogus story? Good grief.</p>
<p>I just read his statement and I fully agree - foolish! Here is his statement :</p>
<p>Everything you have read is correct. It was ALL lies. I in fact HAVE lied since a younger age and had a problem with it. I am coming out and making a statement (even though I was instructed not to) because i DO want to come clean. Just so everyone knows I’m not reviving any sort of disability for Tbi. Let it also be known that I left country 2.5 months before the rest of the unit came home, I stayed in the army PAST my ETS date and was released from full service (wether active or reserve) in 2009.</p>
<p>I do in fact take FULL responsibility for the actions and words I have said, and know that this will never go away. In NO way was I looking to take from everyone who has served. I started to believe my own lies. And after I believed them… I would catch myself talking like it had happened to me my entire life. To the gentleman above who talked about going to the VA I am doing just that, the “cocktail” u refer to Has been my deterrent for the last couple of years as I feel like when I was medicated while at FT sill and even at Schwinefurt It was never “correct”. Never the less.</p>
<p>The lies end here. I want to base the life I have left on nothing but what is real and genuine and in the here and now. I am EXTREAMLY remorseful and VERY upset that I allowed myself to take from the hard work of the guys that i was deployed with among others. To think that I would go on a national tv show and get away with continuing a lie so big, and so deeply imbedded in my lfe and brain… Is rediculous. Hindsight is always 20/20. The work the blue spader a did overseas was impeccable and I regret that I took from that. To EVERYONE but more importantly the men I served with, I AM DEEPLY REGRETFUL AND SORRY. my road to figuring out how to make a life built on trust starts now. It starts with getting help. And starts with this message.</p>
<p>I was told to keep quiet and not talk to anyone, and I have decided that what’s best for me and my family is to come out and end the insanity. I indeed have many many things to work with and need to get alot of help doing it. Again I appologize to everyone that I have come across and hurt or lied too.</p>
<p>I at no time was a sniper, was never deployed to Afghanistan, did a single tour in Iraq, and was never at any time hit or wounded by an IED</p>
<p>It’s sad that these shows look for the most interesting, sometimes bizarre, back-stories when casting, causing some people to “exaggerate” the truth. I jokingly told my D she could never do reality tv because she has not lost a parent at a young age, lived out of her car (or a tent in the woods), overcome a terrible illness or addiction, or anything else the producers think we might find interesting. This young man conjured up a story linking military service with a cute baby and it worked, until he was called on it. I would guess many of the other back-stories are stretched and spun to make them more interesting, too, whether by the contestant or the producers.</p>
<p>I have to admit I am liking this more “streamlined” AI. It seems to have a faster pace and less BS than before. I’m glad they eliminated putting the contestants in separate rooms to reveal who made it through. </p>
<p>I also am appreciating the judges’ comments a little more, especially Nickie and Keith.</p>
<p>Agreed. Nikki seemed to start out a little confrontational–as if trying to get attention–but now I’m realizing more and more that she’s right and has really constructive comments.</p>
<p>Nicki’s comment about Matheus (the really short guy), always playing the short man card, was right on the money. I am growing to like her more and more. Before the new season began, I was really anticipating Mariah to have the biggest wow factor as a judge. So far, she has disappointed me a little bit and Nicki and Keith have been the pleasant surprises. </p>
<p>Curtis Finch is such a talented singer. Those runs, along with his falsetto, are absolutely amazing. If he was more likeable, I think he could win it, but I don’t see him getting the votes when it turns into a popularity contest in the weeks to come. I also really like Gurpreet, aka “The Turbanator”. Unlike Curtis, I think he could be extremely popular with the voters. This season seems to be the quirkiest in recent memory. Speaking of quirky, I thought Charlie Askew was really good tonight.</p>