Usually when you think of American Idol, there are all kinds of negative comments from musicians. I've been watching this year and I am accually very intriqued by some of the talent this year.

I really dig having Jennifor Lopez and Steven Tyler on the show only because they are highly qualified judges.

Is anyone watching with any interest ?

zzzzzzzzz......

IMO best season in 10 years.

Jennifer Lopez highly qualified judge?

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

I actually had my reservations at first too...
But the two new judges proved me wrong.
With the new talent and the two new judges I'm excited about Idol again.

I would say she has more then enough credentials !

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennifer_Lopez

I always say: You don't have to be a great cook to taste a good meal...

definately intersted . Watch out for Aaron Marcellus. they have not featured him heavily in any of the shows but this brother has a knock out voice . This is the strongest pool of talent that AI has drawn in many years in my opinion

I agree. And Steven Tyler as well.

Dave has had too much zanax ... just let him sleep.

Yep...I'm watching. It's must see TV. I think Steven Tyler has added a lot to the show. The guy is cool and funny and he's a bonafide rock star. And how can you argue with the success of JLO? There seems to be a more humanistic and compassionate side to the show this year. Did you see the total breakdown by JLO when she had to vote off the contestant ( I forget his name ) who has the paralyzed fiance?

Hey ... I WORK with Idol wannabees. I'm grooming the next big stars everyday, but we do it without the shock value for ratings! Anyway, most of my kids are Gleeks,
so I watch that with them so we have some common ground. Great vocal arrangements, but just so-so acting.

I like Glee as a show. I don't get a chance to watch it much. I found the Beatles section of AI was interesting because these kids came up with the pretty interesting spin's to Beatles tunes.

The guy I really like is the dude who plays upright bass.

Let me take that back, there really are many that I like.

I think this melisma thing has gotten out of hand on Idol and other musical shows...melisma can be a great thing, but lately it’s abused more and more by some insensitive, and obviously amateurish, singers.

I suppose those who practise it like to think that this is a sign of their involvement in the song, but, most times there isn't any musical grounds of what they are doing...many times it interferes with the flow of the lyrics, melody, sometimes even the rhythm itself.

It's frequently done just to copy singers like Mariah Carey, and Whitney Houston who indulge in runs.

I think it works great in Gospel music, but to a far lesser extent in Pop tunes.

Ian

"Ditto" !

I would agree with your statement Ian. I like seeing instruments played & some of the talent is remarkable.

This is the first year I've ever watched it. Much to my surprise I have enjoyed most of it.
I think the guy who sings while playing Bass will win.
DonM

Dan, I got a chuckle out of the contestants who said this is the first time they ever heard a Beatles song! Back in my day that would be blasphemy! LOL

There are quite a few contestants that I enjoy watching (living vicariously through). I'm intriqued with Naima - the blue eyed beauty with dreadlocks; she has a unique style. There is also a young man from Nashville that has a very distinctive voice along with another country star that sounds like the deep voice in the Oak Ridge boys

If you can't do it better than Aretha, you shouldn't do it at all!

Unless your 17 years old.....

many of them can do it much better than aretha. Its just that at the time she was a stand out lady for the talent pool available in her generation .People say similar things about all the greats of their day like Michael jordon for example but there are better players today or Michael Jackson but the talent pool is deeper now and its harder to stand out.

AI is a TV show and they have to have all the ingredients to make the show successful. Unfortunately that also means that the best singers wont necessarily get picked if they are too simmilar to other singers in the show.

The best singer there Aaron Marcellus/Sanders (IMO) did not even get any TV air time .

check him out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Cdt3CGHMpU

It wont be to everyones tastes but it touches me.

This is my favorite for this season of idol..Jacob Lusk

Donny,

Due to websense blockers I can't see the photo at work. Are you referring to the guy who had a gospel background with the huge vocal range ?

Yes Dan thats him

I like that guy. I loved the scat singing in the "god bless this child" he did. The other guy with who plays the upright bass has been great too. Alot of talent this year.

Update http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/02/28/american-idol-top-12-guys-preview/?hpt=T2

I am disappointed already in the show. they had all that talent , probably the best pool they had had in many years of AI and then they picked the typical TV entertainment value top 24. I can fully understand why JLO cried when she had to tell some of the contestants that they had not made it through . She must have known in her heart that she was being compelled to make decisions based upon the TV show rather than a talent show.

I dont think i can watch the circus again this year.

"I am disappointed already in the show. they had all that talent , probably the best pool they had had in many years of AI and then they picked the typical TV entertainment value top 24"


I don't necessarily agree with this statemet. We are down to top 13 as of last night.

I'm not sure if I dig the new format to get to the top 13. But it is what it is.

http://www.americanidol.com/contestants/season_10/



Casey Abrams & Jacob Luck & Pia Toscano are my favs. James Durbin is the dark horse.

Any thoughts ?

Jason, Kendra and Niema are my choices so far.

I'm goin' to stick with the country boy.

Gary

Jacob Lusk is the man! Wow...what talent! He hits all the right notes for me!

Randy

Casey has been my favorite since day one. Niema is too ugly. The public voted her off once, and they will again. It is a beauty contest as much as talent contest.
DonM

I was on the edge of my seat like a giddy school kid watching AI the past three nights. By far the most entertaining season EVER! It's a shame they can't all win.

I am pleased that I was able to pick 11 of the 13 winners and I have also picked the top three and only one differs from Donnie.
Incidentaly the first girl picked is a protege of Walt Tenay's our dealer down in South Carolina who I have bought and sold several keyboards through over the years. Her name is Lauren Alaino and I think she will be a top contender even though she is only 16 years old. she is an awesome performer:)
Bebop

Someone mentioned earlier about the different atmosphere in the show this year. (Yes, we do get it in the UK as well.) What amazes me is that no-one has yet attributed the difference to the demise of the obnoxious Simon Cowell. If you are one of those who miss his rude and offensive comments, don't worry - he'll be back with his US version of the UK X Factor show later in the year. We Brits are not the only ones who have to suffer!!!

Trevor

I thought I did mention that, because it is so true. Maybe I only said it to my wife, who doesn't listen to me anyway.
DonM

This is very true. Not one word about Simon. I don't miss him.

It amuses me how Randy's role and demeanor have changed. It only goes to show me that the behind scenes maneuvering is certainly directed and planned in advance. The judges have got to hear the rehearsals and I'm sure they and the producers have their own favorites. Things DO seem to be more honest and compassionate, but again, Randy is the one who gets assigned the most negative comments. And whose seat is he in???

dont forget these shows arent even live anymore...it's all staged in advance.

This year certainly brought out more talent than we've seen in quite awhile. Not surprised that it's "staged" 'cause just about everything is... even wardrobe malfunctions.

Seems like my favorites never win so I'll keep it to myself for now... anyway, the teeny-boppers always determine who survives... after spending Daddy's money on expensive phone-in's.

The departure of Simon the singer-slayer seems to have attracted more participants. The kinder-gentler attitude of the judges is noticeable and makes the show better to my way of thinking.

Dave Rice

Departure ....Simon is still working the strings more then ever now behind the scenes.....and also has another new show coming out very soon too.

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1629466...ifference.jhtml

he knows exactly what he's doing....Idol would have never gone this long without him in the USA and all the other countries around the world..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Idol

Did anyone catch the show last night ? Very interesting competition. I can't pick a winner. But I think the guys have an edge over the girls. Pia Toscano is a front runner for the women imo. I kind of like the unique voice of Paul McDonald, but last night was alot to be desired. James Durbin, Casey Abrams & Jacob Lusk is a tough choice.. They all have their strengths. I think that Casey Abrams musicianship may give him an edge in the long run...

http://www.americanidol.com/contestants/season_10

From USATODAY.com

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/idolchatter/index

A little bit country a little bit rock n roll
http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2011-03-09-american-idol-quotes_N.htm

Jennifer Lopez:

I guess if you have to HAVE a dancer turned "singer" to follow Paula Abdul, she would be *it*.


Steven Tyler????

OLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!*fart*

Casey has been my favorite all along. He is sick. Hope it isn't too serious.
I thought the show tonight was rather boring. Great talent though.
I think Jalo's new video is hideous. I guess it's because I'm old.
DonM

Steven Tyler born March 26, 1948. Are you saying 63 is a old fart ? Please....

Aerosmith is the best-selling American rock band of all time, having sold more than 150 million albums worldwide,[14] including 66.5 million albums in the United States alone.[15] They also hold the record for the most gold and multi-platinum albums by an American group. The band has scored 21 Top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, nine #1 Mainstream Rock hits, four Grammy Awards, and ten MTV Video Music Awards. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001, and were included among both Rolling Stone's and VH1's lists of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.[16]

The man has better credentials to be a judge.

Well, there was nothing else on tonite so I gave AI one more try. It's 9:20 and some girl is about to sing a Taylor Dane song. So far nothing was spectacular at all ... and lots of the first 3 or 4 were terrible. I still don't buy into it.
I don't expect us all to like the same stuff, but c'mon .... most of the people I know in local bands are better than this bunch. The only one that I sorta likes was the country kid with the deep voice that looks like Clay Aikin.
Again ..... I see nothing to idolize at all.
Most of them have terrible pitch, and so far, NO one has shown any real soul at all. I wanted to like something ,,,,, no can do.
Sorry guys, not their best stuff.

Yankees are killing the Orioles 10-0 in the 8th Yeah!!

So far, the country boy still gets the nod from me.

Gary

I'm lovin' Jacop

Pia Toscano for me....

I have Pia Toscano as a favorite.I am curious to see how far country fans are going to help the country boy by voting for him. At 16, he is remarkable. The 1st three acts were forgettable.

I caught some of the results show last night. The results show is just a marketing campaign to launch a new song and advertise Ford. Ryan Seacrest try's to be to cute with who is safe. You knew the judges would use the save with Casey.

I thought the motown night was full of very good performances.

Did any one catch last nights performance? I really think the talent is very good this year. Pia Toscano is fantastic..

Any thoughts ?

Pia IMO is a dead horse.....shes got the voice but NO stage presence at all....she stands there with no excitement, she's just a pretty ballad singer....

my choices still remains as follows for idol 2011..

1- Jacob Lusk

2- Scotty McCreery

3- James Durbin

Pretty strong opinion Donny.. You could be right. I am very curious to see how far country fans will take Scotty.

What ever happened to last years top 10 ?

I think Scotty and Lauren, the two country singing kids are amazing but I think America will vote like this:
1) Pia
2) Jacob
3) James

As much as the judges like Casey I think he will be in the bottom 3 tonight along with the good looking blond girl who they think sings like Janis Joplin and the guy who sings like Rod Stewart. But, I'll probably be wrong as my wife keeps telling me. Actually I think all of them were good last night but you have to pick 3 to have in the bottom and which one goes home is a toss up!

Pia is FINE isn't she?
My favorite since the early auditions was Jacob.
I couldn't argue with any of the remaining choices really.
This is the first year I've ever watched it. I always record it and watch it later.
DonM

There is a host of amazing talent on this year's roster. I still have my hopes up for Jacob - he has been my favorite from Day 1. Tonight will be rough. It's going to get seriously dicey from here on out. They had 55 Million votes last week. So things are heating up. Good luck to y'all and your favorites!

PS - Gary - no question also that Scotty the country boy is going to go up up up. He is an amazing talent!

We record american idol too. Accually I have been recording a lot of shows.

I love watching The Good Wife & Grays Anatomy. But sometimes I'm watching a ball game or working.

My wife hates it but I also record the capitals hockey games.

We have a strict rule that no one tells dad the score of the hockey game when I get home.

Pia & Jocob in the bottom 3 tonight, WHAT?........I don't think they'll go home but it is surly a wakeup call for both.
Stephano is in danger for sure in that company..

Pia goes home .....I guess America voted and decided you cant win on looks alone.....each week they told her to step it up.

I didn't see Idol last night. I walk into work to get caught up and my jaw dropped. Unbelievable that Pia was sent packing. Shocked.

As Donny said earlier, PIA was a great ballad singer, but that's it. Her attempt at a faster tune fell flat IMO and she did not exhibit any stage presence. The judges did encourage her to step it up, but she was able to put it off for a couple weeks. It definitely highlighted a large hole in her abilities. She'll have to really work at improving in that area if she plans to succeed in the future.

Country boy Scotty is ready for CW charts right now, but that doesn't mean he can win this competition. He too is a one trick pony and sooner or later that weakness will be his downfall. My hopes are still on Casey.

I'm still trying to figure out why Paul is still there.

Gary

Lots of little girls have lots of little cell phones ..;

OK, I saw a clip this morning on the news showing the horror and disbelief that the AI judges had at the (obviously) wrong tally of votes from the viewers. Sheesh .... this is exactly why I hate this show so much. They criticize the performers in a non-professional way, they criticize the VOTERS (who may or may not be legit), and they express just how wrong it was for poor Pia to be cut while her song-mate ( who made it) is standing right there thinking ... "Oh, I guess they really wanted ME out".
What a crock.
I'm glad you people are enjoying it, but I still think it's the worst musical show ever...in spite of the (very) few that come out of it with viable careers. It's nothing like a talent show. And, yes ..... why the hell IS Paul in this show at all? I have 3 kids in my school that could send them all home crying, but I'd never support them going on such a farce. It'd be bad for their self esteem, and I'd do everything I could to talk their parents out of it.
As a scripted, predicted, entertainment vehicle, I suppose it belongs on TV, but as a true talent show - it's a total lie.
Rant over. I wish it stayed out of the news too!

This is the first year that I actually might consider going to the tour concert ... my wife seems intent on going, so I may join her ... with all due respect to Donny's choices, I was VERY disappointed Pia was voted off ...
I think she is more talented than Paul (Rod Stewart type) and Stefano - who, by the way, doesn't seem to have much stage presence either ...

I sincerely believe the entire voting process is flawed. First and foremost, there should be just one vote per person allowed--NO MULTIPLE VOTING! And, I believe the only reason there is multiple votes allowed is the network loves the hype--"We had 16,000,000 votes tonight--another record!" What bull$hit! Does anyone really believe that 16-million individual votes were cast? I would wager some serious money that some computer hacker has figured out a way to cast thousands upon thousands of votes using his or her PC, and provided the program to their friends to do the same. Just my opinion, and I could be wrong--but I don't think so.

Additionally, each season for the past five seasons, some of the worst talent on the planet seems to stick around forever. C'mon! No one, even those with a half of a brain, would cast a vote for some of them. The votes were cast just to cause a problem, which in many instances, caused someone with real talent to end up being voted out of the competition when in reality they should have stayed.

I, for one, am really pissed about the entire show and the process. It will be the last season for me--that's for sure!

Gary

Simon cowels new show X factor starts soon cant wait

By next season, there will be 3 or more of these psuedo-talent shows on TV. Maybe it will be good for the overall structure of the shows, as only the strong shall survive. Simon, AI, Cee-Lo, and ??? OMG - TV is rushing downhill fast, and it's taking some of the dignity of the business I love so much with it. I know Show Biz is all about glitz, but without humility and humanity, it looses alot. As I grow older and see more through the eyes of my young, impressionable students ... the more I think the entertainment world needs to focus on real life and not the ratings. A real singer will be found without YouTube, Ellen or these silly shows that claim to be fair judges of talent. Being blessed with a voice is only one small part of the equation ... the drive and heart is what MAKES a true performer, and these shows are doing everything in their power to destroy that very thing.

I kinda agree with UD

You must remember that the majority of the voters are teenage girls and they are allowed to vote up to 10 times AND DO. Young girls will NEVER vote for a female over a guy...so this is why PIA is gone, and the good looking kid is still there.

It's kind of like the baseball all-star game...not always the best players get voted in. Same with Dancing with the Stars.

It's hard to control how people vote...and it's why, like Dave, I'm not that interested. Now if they had a SENIOR American Idol, that would be VERY interesting.

The Phillies won ... the TV is off for the night.

Pia Tuscano just signed a record deal with interscope records...

http://www.beginnerholdem.com/blog/pia-toscano-gets-new-record-deal-with-interscope-records/

Jacop Lusk just blew the house down again with his rendition of
"Bridge Over Troubled Waters" on idol...OMG!!

I agree. My wife said she got goose bumps when he really got into the song. What an incredible rendition of a beautiful song.

Gary

I only had a chance to watch up to Casey's performance last night. He was totally awesome!

I look forward to hearing Jacobs version.

I sing bridge over trouble water on mothers day at Church every year. Totally love that song.

Down to six .. Who has the edge ? To me it is Casey. Really like that dude. Funny,likeable and fantastic musician.

I still think this guy is over-hyped. "Little Luther? NO WAY. I just don't like the notes he uses for his runs and stuff....he's average at best. Thanx for posting the video, though ... I can't bring myself to watch the TV show at all anymore. OK, OK .. I'll stop chiming in - I know you guys love this stuff. (I just don't understand WHY????)

Honestly I never missed a show in 10 years & this has to be the worst yet....it's getting too hokey since Simon left....

I cant wait for his new show the Xfactor to start...

http://thexfactor.blogs.fox.com/

I LOVE how we have differences of opinion ... I think top to bottom this is the BEST overall collection of talent they have ever had ...
And I don't see a problem with how this talent finds its way to the public ... as for good talent being found, there are TONS of talented people who never see the light of day because they are not lucky enough to be found ... with the kids on AI, the ones with true talent will make it, the others will fall by the wayside ... just like in REAL life ...
JM2pennies worth ...

I totally agree Tony. Comparing this year vs last year and the year before, I find this group to be interesting & talented. 2 contestants are 16 yrs old. I am also digging the judges as well.

This SOOOOOO belongs in the bar.

Careful what you wish for there DNJ. You might just get it!

We have had X-Factor for a number of years now, and it is no better than American Idol - or Pop-Idol as we called it here.

It's the same thing with a wider catchment of ages. They allow groups too. It's just more crazies to sift through before we get to the good guys n gals. Even then, the winner disappears for a year and brings out a single in-time for next Christmas, just when the new series of X-Factor is due to finish. The new winner gets their winning single out for Xmas, and it always gets number one, unless as happened two years ago, an internet campaign is started to block it. Normally the previous years winner just dissapears unless they actually are really talented like Leona Lewis.

Perhaps UD, but I think that's Nigel's call ...

I know, I know ..... wishful thinking !

I miss Ted Mack's Amateur Hour Sniff Sniff

Gimmie this anyday:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNGRnAGj-Xo&feature=related

This topic is music related and fun. I find the bar more for non music conversations.Just my opinion. You know what they say about opinions.

I thought James Durbin was the winner Tuesday night, with Casey Abrams a close second. The judges were somewhat tough on Scotty McCreery, but when he was singing that LeAnn Rimes song, my wife and I looked at each other, and said "WOW".

Overall, IMO, this particular American Idol episode was one of the most memorable TV shows ever. When you reach the final 7 they are ALL great, and the show just flowed at an entertaining pace, with very little chit-chat, and the contestants were there to sing, and this show allowed then to do just that, without a lot of dead air time.

I also believe the judges are better than ever. Who can NOT like J-Lo, and Steven Tyler has been a pleasant surprise. I for one do not miss Simon and Paula for one second. These 'new' judges can be critical, without being arrogant


Remember to the young...NOW is the good ol' days...so hop on board the bandwagon, you may even enjoy it.

It would be a bit more relevant if at least a few of the contestants played arranger keyboards.

However, nothing wrong with a bit of AI Karaoke for those times when the DVD player is on the blink.

The prizes are cool.

I must get cable hooked back up so I can see what all the fuss is about....ahhh...on second thought...maybe not.

Ian

"Round and round she goes, where she stops nobody knows" ...
Ah YES, the good ol' days ...



Maybe he should try out for AI ...

My Idols: Tower of POWER!!!!!!
My daughter, Kelly and I on her birthday after the show!