Image Credit: Frank Micelotta/Fox/PictureGroupNothing can probably prepare one for the overwhelming nature of entering the Idoldome for the first time: It’s colossal, run by what seems like the Kremlin guard, and there’s a distinct crackle in the air. After years of watching on TV, last night was my first visit to the venue and live show, and I quickly realized that the atmosphere’s usual electricity was no doubt bolstered by the fact that what I had stepped into the first live results show of a rather energized season. Actually, to be even more specific, last night was the first live show of the season period, since both the Top 12 boys and Top 12 girls episodes were pretaped last Friday and Monday. Things felt heady and bubbly from the get-go.
The night’s already-auspicious vibe was compounded by the fact that, walking in, everyone in that audience — as well as the contestants, judges, and Ryan Seacrest — understood what had to happen by the end of the two-hour taping: Nine Idol hopefuls were going to be sent home. (Well, at the beginning, no one knew exactly how many would go home, but everyone knew several were going to be sent packing.) Considering that looming bloodbath, though, the activities of the evening managed to be buoyant and amped up, Idol-style. That is, until the heads started to roll just minutes into the taping.
You likely saw it all go down on television. But what happened in the studio? During commercials? On the sidelines? I’m here to share. Rather than a tick-tock of what happened during every commercial break — believe me, it ain’t that interesting — and since my EW colleagues John Young and Adam B. Vary so thoroughly laid out the new bells and whistles of the revamped Idoldome in the first two on-the-scene posts of the season, I thought I’d share with you six important observations that maybe, just maybe, could only be gleaned by someone who was sitting in the audience. Here goes:
• Good Boys vs. Bad Girls: It was interesting, watching the difference in the boys and the girls on stage, especially during moments where the cameras weren’t rolling. From the get-go, the boys were a cohesive unit. As they were announced, the boys headed to their stools and stood, sometimes greeting the just-announced member of their posse in a very friendly manner, while the girls immediately sat down on their stools and didn’t interact with each other much. Nerves no doubt plagued the girls, but the difference was more than telling of the vibe within the sexes on this year’s American Idol. The boys frequently gave hugs or stood up and bantered during commercial breaks, and while the girls did that to some level, it almost seemed — dare I say it? — icy between them. I heard someone next to me comment that it seemed like the difference between a fun frat party (the boys) and a stuck-up sorority meeting (the girls). A very apt assessment.
• Fan Favorite: Scotty McCreery: I knew that future country-star — and Top 13 shoo-in — Scotty McCreery had a fan base, but the size of said fan base was startling inside the Idoldome: No one got more cheers, applause, and screams than when he was announced at the beginning of the episode and when Seacrest revealed him as making it through for the week. The difference between the love for him versus the other contestants, based on just crowd-o-meter polling, was startling. Which is to say that the other contestants should watch out for McCreery, if the rest of the country reflects that sentiment and starts voting. Even though it was overwhelmingly clear that Scotty was the favorite, he seemed unfazed by all the attention, quietly sitting on the finalists’ couch until he was joined by Pia. As a final note on this subject, you know who may potentially be Scotty’s biggest fan? Jennifer Lopez’s husband, Marc Anthony. After the show, I spied him giving specific and pointed thumbs-up signs to McCreery from across the Idoldome as he was headed out.
• Everyone’s Friend: Lauren Turner: You know who hugged every single contestant, whether they were going home or staying on for next week? Well, yes, Brett Loewenstern, of course. You no doubt saw that whole mess play out on TV. But the other hugger of the night was none other than Lauren Turner. She herself was sent home (a travesty, in my opinion!), yet she found the time to stop every person and embrace them. It was refreshing to see that she, unlike so many of the other gals on stage, wasn’t so icy and robotic. Too bad she won’t be with us in the future for more hugs.
• J.Lo Grooves “On the Floor”: In a genius, super-synergized move that you all saw, the Idol Gods graced the viewers with the premiere of judge Jennifer Lopez’s music video for her new single, “On the Floor.” While you watched on TV, the video blasted on high in the Idoldome. At first, J.Lo tried to stick to her story — she and the other judges were “very busy” trying to decide their Wild Card picks. (Yeah, right.) But it wasn’t but maybe a minute into the dance track that J.Lo was bobbing her head, giggling, and generally reveling in the fact that the crowd was enthusiastically clapping along to her song. That must have felt good. It was hard to tell, but the other judges didn’t seem to be as into it as I thought they might have been.
• Steven Tyler Eats Twizzlers During Commercials: Or the red, licorice candies he slurps down between segments could well be Red Vines. Regardless, it was entertaining to see the master of all randomness house string after string of the stuff while poring over his notes during breaks, all while wearing a ridiculously ruffled pink shirt and bedazzled jeans and sneakers. It was also amusing to watch Tyler wipe/blot his face on the scarf of his makeup artist during touch-up sessions. Like, who does that?
• Visible Reaction: J.Lo Loves Stefano: There’s no way to sugarcoat this: Jennifer Lopez is really into Stefano. I mean, of course, I think we all knew this. But it was even more pronounced in the Idoldome. J.Lo managed to be rather stoic during most of the other situations when contestants were on stage or somehow being presented to the audience. But starting with the video package at the beginning that featured Stefano and ending when she announced him as one of the judges’ Wild Card picks, you could just see Jenny’s face light up for him. There’s not much more to that, but it’s just interesting. There’s a definite connection between these two, so we should all keep an eye on it.
So that was that. Did any of these in-studio observations illuminate anything you noticed on the television screen? Did any revelations come to light? Can you believe the newsflash about Steven Tyler eating licorice during breaks? Are you generally happy — or unhappy — with the results of the evening? Sound off below!
Tanner on Twitter: @EWTanStransky
Read more:
‘American Idol’: Discuss the first results show, who went home too early, and the judges’ Wild Card picks
‘American Idol’: Karen Rodriguez and Jacob Lush get bilingual, on the scene for the Top 12 girls
‘American Idol’ recap: Pageant of the Misses
‘American Idol’: Steven Tyler’s ‘F’ bombs, and why Jordan Dorsey sang Usher’s ‘OMG,’ on the scene for the Top 12 guys
‘American Idol’: Casey Abrams’ ‘I Put a Spell On You’ sexiest performance ever?
Jacob Lusk’s ‘A House Is Not a Home’: As good as the Luther Vandross version?
Zzzzzzzzzzzzz………
hahaha agree
You watched, though, didn’t you? lol
Stating the obvious, the wildcards were not chosen by voters, so each will have to show us something to remain in the competition. A breakout performance will be required to shake up the top 10 vote getters IMHO. The wildcards will be the 1st ones out more than likely based on what we’ve seen so far.
I want Lauren Turner in the top 13!!!
Totally agree! Karen out, Lauren T. in!
You so got that right!!
No, Haley out, Lauren in. I like Karen.
I couldn’t agree more. Lauren should be there instead of Karen. By losing Lauren, I’m afraid we might have missed out on the next Kelly, imo.
I had picked Lauren Turner to make the top ten and was disappointed to see her go. What do listeners see in Naima Adedapo? Am I missing somthing?
me too! those other divas were over-rated.
I agree! I was really disappointed when Lauren T. didnt get in and Ashthon got in?? Really? I didnt think she did that great.
Haley, Karen, Thia OUT– Kendra, Lauren T, Rachel IN
Also would definitely trade Scotty and James for Tim and Brett.
You got it right.
Stop fighting for Kendra. Her performance was so forgettable and Rachel who?
Funny but you are the only one here that wanted Thia out. You should be so ignorant when it comes to good musice. Obviously I can see in your choice.
@whisky “You should be so ignorant when it comes to good musice. Obviously I can see in your choice.”
You need a hobby… and a proof reader. Unless being mean online for no apparent reason is a hobby, then just a proof reader.
Whiskey, Kendra was good. I think that the more people fight for her, the better chances she will have in making a career for himself in the music industry. Perhaps not as an artist but a producer and vocalist or song writer :]
Lauren Turner was one of my favorites, yet she missed the cut. She sounded good. But maybe she was holding back as Jennifer said and that might have sealed her fate of continuing. It had to been tough to decide, because most of the girls were good on Wednesday. I liked Ashton, but that wasn’t one of her best performances just to reach the wildcard top 3–too many diva-like mentalities in the performing and the kiss off hand movements.
The love for McCreery was also noticeable from our seats at home. I was wondering if he bribed the audience or something. I find it odd that he’s a favorite. Like, really? Him?
Teen girls LOVE non-threatening, “sweetheart” types. Not necessarily a heart throb- just a good ‘ole boy. He can sweetheart his way all the way to the bank.
And he can sing! Country may not be your thing but you can’t deny his talent. I’m not big on R & B but I’ll tell you right how that Jacob Lusk has pipes. Not my kind of music but he’s good. And Scotty is just precious!
Scott can S.I.N.G.! Plus, he seems like a really nice kid. He’s pretty poised and well-spoken for a what, 17 year old? I, for one, am a total fan of his.
I’m not surprised. He would be in the Top 3 for sure unless he really screws up. When he said in the package that to sing country you have to be a country boy and that’s what I am, well he just got most of Americas vote with that statement.
he’s such a gentleman…seems very grounded for someone his age and appears humble…that will take him a long way.
Doesn’t really matter how he does in this competition…this guy is going to be a country singer on the radio very soon. He sounds as good, if not better, than many country singers right now.
I don’t see any way Scotty can lose this competition. There, I’ve said it. Everyone else is scrambling for second place.
@DaveinHollywood He will not win this competition, I am just going to say that right now. He has absolutely NO range whatsoever. He has deep, and deeper…nothing more. He also struggles with other genres. When they start throwing the theme weeks at him, and country isn’t part of it, THAT is when his base will start to crack. Right now he’s been riding on what he does best, but when he’s forced to do something outside of that…fizzle…
I would by his recordings in an instant.
I don’t think he’ll win, but if he doesn’t, he needs to move to Nashville immediately, guitar in hand, buy a new house to live there, get on a major label, get in a studio, record some 10 or 12 songs for his album and get it out there on the market! Get a band and tour big time on it! He could give heavy hitters like Brad Paisley, Trace Adkins, Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, Kenny Chesney, Josh Turner and others a run for their money if he gets his songs out there and they do well! He has that low drawl voice that country radio programmers like! I don’t think he’ll do well in the other theme weeks that will be hurdled onto him, but he can try. He’s a pure country singer.
My 16 year old daughter took one look at Scotty and fell in love. Then when she heard his voice, she almost screamed. He definitely has a strong appeal to teenage girls!
I think that McCreary is really attracting the voting audience that’s into country, especially the very popular Taylor Swift. But not the overly slick crossover mainstream sounds that Taylor does, more of the traditional style of George Strait. I think he’s trying to bring that kind of feel back to the genre.
I thought Kendra should have made it through – and how did they choose among the wild card guys? They all did a very good job. Guess Robbie may not have been as consistent, but boy did he sing well during his last chance. And Lauren Turner – Again, someone who should have gone through. WHY was the talent so strong this year? Has anyone addressed this phenomenon? Quite surprising, the squeeling for Scotty – more of a “tween” base than I thought he had. All in all, a very interesting season is shaping up!
you know what i keep thinking isw en simon cowell and simon fuller were on they would fill the ranks oft he top 24/36 with fodder and usually get most of their picks through, but somehow, season 9 was got screwed by people who started voting for fodder :/ either that or Ellen was the one to blame for all the madness and steven and j. lo know how to pick em’.
The “it” factor with a contestant is sometimes hard to define. But Scotty has “it”. Connecting with the people is something you can’t make happen, it just has to be natural. He’s got the whole package.
i think part of my love for him is that he comes across as very humble and grateful. not entitled or showy. i think that is very appealing.
I just wish he’d do something different with his hair, to make him look a little less dorky.
He does have an odd, plastic-helment head of hair, like those Lego-people.
The difference in vibe between all the boys and the girls was noticeable at home, too. I texted a friend of mine and commented on how much nicer and bonded the dudes seemed in contrast with the girls.
A handful of those girls knew they were in serious trouble (but didn’t think they should be)- like Rachel Zevita and Julie Zorilla. The dudes had accepted their fates and figured they might as well chum-around! I dug it.
I thought I saw Lauren Taylor as the one girl who really seemed to connect with the other contestants. I wish her well. I think she was one of the best singers, but think her appearance didn’t work for the judges.
On the other hand, the two worst wild card singers (Naima and Diana Ross with screeches) were put into the Top 13. Shoot! I think all of the boy wild cards did better than those two.
Agree!!
I agree too!
I can agree with you on Ashton Jones, however, I’d rather watch Naima a million times than have to sit through a tenth of the most boring Idol performers (Jovany and Roby Nosen) ever @_@
I agree with Falwless about McCreery. He seems totally one dimensional. I can’t imagine what he would/will do when required to sing something besides country. I can hear him singing Donna Summer’s On The Radio right now hmmmm, well, maybe not.
Give me a break….just because he sings country doesn’t make him one-dimensional.
Thank you!
From what I understand, they aren’t going to have the specific theme weeks this year. Also, TPTB have stated that they are going to encourage the contestants to sing in the style of which they intend to make music. Thank God — nothing has been more ridiculous over the years of this show than having them sing show tunes.
It’s about time! This time, they can do the songs that matches with their voices, not the theme weeks of which past contestants sounded awful or disconnected. After a while spme of those standards tunes and songs from movies don’t work for those singers. And that theme week/mentor formula was really starting to wear out on viewers. At least they’re going to work with the hottest music producers and professionals instead of throwing in well known singers to mentor the contestants.
It ist ime for a country guy to win………….
It is time for a country guy to win………….
I could totally see this happening. Although it is due time for a female to win, Scotty could be the male version of Carrie Underwood. I mean, look at the massive success she has had. It’s going to be an interesting season, that’s for sure. I wish Kendra would’ve replaced Haley though.
I am utterly baffled by all the Scott love. What is he going to do when a theme week makes him sing anything higher than middle C? He can’t stay in the bass clef forever.
Who knew “tenor” was going to be one of the theme weeks? Or maybe they’ll force all of the other male contestants to sing bass some week?
The theme weeks suck anyway. They need to do away with them. If you’re a country star you sing country. If you’re a rock star you sing rock. That’s how it is in the biz and that’s how it should be on AI.
Strawman. Inability to sing tenor is not this guy’s problem. His inability to sing baritone, however, is.
I’m not saying he isn’t talented — Johnny Cash wouldn’t have won American Idol either, and for similar reasons. He’s too narrow, particularly his range.
He does have a similar voice type to Johnny Cash, but I wouldn’t dare describe Cash as “narrow”.
Look at the covers Cash dared to do in his later years — Nine Inch Nails, Simon and Garfunkel, and Roberta Flack among many others.
Dude, range is range. Would you have asked Barry White to stream high Cs? I think Idol is due for a bass.
Plus, country is very popular in America these days. I think he’ll do well.
I am Kendra fan too. I thought she should have been a wild card pick. Especially over Ashton because I am not sure what the judges see in her. It has nothing to do with not liking r&b because I love r&b(Mariah, Whitney, Beyonce, even some of the lesser known r&b performers) and Ashton pales in comparison. Sure Beyonce is supremely confident but it’s backed up with talent.
Agreed. Kendra over Ashthon. Should’ve happened.
I agree. America didn’t vote Ashthon into the top 10 so maybe she’ll be one of the first to leave. That unwarranted diva attitude didn’t help her win over too many people, did it?
Lopez played the race card throughout the selection process, so keep your eye on her.
Oh, go away. Isn’t there a birther rally or something you could go to?
I totally agree. Who did not notice it!
Kind of let down on your article. You were THERE and this is all you got?? I suppose you were given a word limit, right?
I agree with you on this one. SMH
Haley Reinhart in and Lauren Turner out? That’s not right.
Otherwise, I think everyone got it right. It’s an amazing group of contestants this season. Love the fact that so many different musical styles are represented.