As we lumber into the home stretch for the tenth season of American Idol, it’s hard not to start feeling nostalgic about past seasons of the show in comparison to this one. That feeling is especially acute (and just plain cute, really) when old Idol alums like Anthony Fedorov — who came in fourth place back in season 4, so long ago that it predates the very blog you’re currently reading (we are all so old, aren’t we!) — randomly pop by the old campus for a visit, only to discover they’ve erected a state-of-the-art Cross-Promotional Studies Center/UFO landing pad where your old dorm used to be. Your favorite cranky and daffy tenured professors have been replaced by more illustrious profs with several best-selling books to their names who nonetheless seem awfully fond of grade inflation. And then there’s that inane assistant prof no one really took seriously who has inexplicably been promoted to department chair. What’s worse, when you walk up to say hello to Dean Lythgoe, he’s clearly much more keen on chatting up one of the bearded hipsters from the current class who’s still hanging around even though he’s done with classes, rather than talk to you — and come to think of it, the dean actually seemed like he didn’t really remember who you are at all. (Granted, you have been working out a lot lately.)
I know, I know, I’m vamping. But it’s only because much of last night’s results show was spent listlessly watching the Idol Thunderscreen — for the recap of Wednesday’s show, and the Windows 7 advertorial, and the Lady Gaga performance, and the Ford music video, and the Steven Tyler music video, and Enrique Iglesias’ guest performance/balloon party. At one point, I was watching Enrique Iglesias on the Thunderscreen watch Usher on the Thunderscreen, and I think I may have been Incepted.
Still, there were a few choice nuggets of behind the scenery to chew on from last night’s results show, first and foremost being, of course, the actual results themselves. Here are all the highlights:
Jennifer Lopez is still not wrong If I had any lingering doubt that Haley wasn’t going to make it to the Top 3, it was obliterated watching the Wednesday recap back at the top of the show: The loudest and longest cheers were reserved for whenever the bluesy spitfire appeared on the screen. But Ms. Lopez would still not be deterred. Much like when it happened the first time on Wednesday night, after the clip of Steven announcing, “THEY’RE BOTH WRONG,” J.Lo just could not help herself, turning to Steven with joking-but-not-really stank lips and announcing to him, “No, we weren’t wrong.”
The calm before the storm James and Scotty took their places in the aisles as the recap package began playing, James standing just 10 feet or so away from my seat. After a while, the Durbs decided to relax and take a seat on the steps. He looked serene to me, with none of the results show restlessness that can possess most contestants, especially when it gets this close to the end. Meanwhile, those moppets that sat on the edge of the judges platform clutching toy instruments seriously came out of nowhere. It’s like they just magically popped out from their private universe under the judges’ desk. Oh my goodness, you guys, they are totally the American Idol Fraggles! Oddly, Haley and Lauren did not seem to even notice them, as they spent most of the song gabbing like two chatty moms who took their kids to a James & Scotty & and the Idol Fraggles* concert. (*I would pay at least $5 to see this really happen.)
This screengrab is basically for my mom so she can see where I was sitting, and for anyone else who happens to be curious about such things. But don’t worry, Annie, I don’t think it counts as a Hidden Gem:
When Idols escape After Lauren was sent to the Golden Stools of Safety — which we all know were just the Silver Stools of Doom with some really good bronzer — the 16-year-old looked like she was near to bursting with feeling. Eventually, during the ad break, Lauren was so beside herself that Debbie the Stage Manager took Lauren over to the far edge of the stage nearest Lauren’s family, and said to Lauren’s doppelgänger mom, “Wave to your daughter!” Yes, wave. They were not even 15 feet apart, but Debbie wasn’t going to let them get any closer. See, for reasons that remain somewhat fuzzy to me, the Idol contestants are pretty much forbidden from stepping beyond the stage during an ad break. Perhaps it’s for their own safety. The audience of the Idoldome does become a feral wilderness second only to the Haunted Forest beyond The Wall whenever the cameras are off, although I’m fairly certain if a crazy person is going to do something truly crazy when an Idol contestant is among the rabble audience, they’re really not going to be discouraged all that much by the fact that they’re live to the east coast. In any event, Lauren was having none of it, and broke free from Debbie to get a proper hug from her Stepford clone mother. I can report that no shenanigans of any sort took place, although I don’t think Debbie really needed to brandish that sniper rifle.
Attack of the giant balloons Speaking of Debbie, whoever thought up saving a few of those giant balloons from Enrique Iglesias’ Wednesday night pre-tape to use as props for the always obnoxious ruse that Iglesias was actually on live television when he pouted his way through a thicket of green lasers — whoever that person is, you are likely on Debbie the Stage Manager’s s— list right now. Because not only did Ryan risk harm to his person and his hair by stage diving into the audience to get after a balloon, one of them made its way into the audience as Jordin Sparks was seconds away from taking to the stage, and people kept batting it up into the air. Debbie had to step into the audience herself and grab it, only to have someone backstage bat the other balloon back onto the stage behind the velvet bench of quasi-safety. A stagehand snatched that balloon in time too, but I imagine this scenario will likely now feature in Debbie’s next set of anxiety dreams for the foreseeable future.
Coach Beiste loves her some Sparks Glee actress Dot Jones was to my eye the only bold-faced name who wasn’t a former Idol contestant sitting in the audience last night, which was just dandy with me, if for no other reason than she was one of a tiny handful of people who heeded Jordin’s repeated commands to say “Yeeeeaaaaahhhhh!” After the performance was over, the season 6 Idol champeen gave polite hugs to Haley, James and Scotty, and then was pretty well mauled by Lauren.
Randy’s favorite parts of Steven Tyler’s music video? The monkey, the elephant, and the drag queen.
James has a bad feeling about this. When Ryan gave Haley her private jet ticket home, Scotty immediately embraced her, all smiles. James, however, stood perfectly still, and slowly closed his eyes, like a man absorbing his doomed fate for the first time. During the following ad break, they both continued on these tracks, Scotty working through his nerves by talking to pretty much everyone he could, James sitting silently on the bench and staring into the middle distance. His fiancée Heidi, meanwhile, kept her gaze laser focused on him. With roughly 30 seconds to go, James and Scotty took their places center stage, and Cory the Warm Up Comic asked the audience to cheer them both on; the sudden roar seemed to snap whatever hold James had left on his tear ducts.
After the Durbs got the bad news, he wandered around the stage as his Idol journey package played behind him; when it was over, he spun around, and there was a brief flash when he looked so utterly lost, it did break my heart a bit. Scotty kept his hands clasped tightly near his face. Haley quietly cried. Lauren seemed slightly stricken, and mostly stone faced. The audience, meanwhile, began to cheer so loudly and so emphatically for James that I could not make out anything Ryan was telling him.
The long goodbye Ray Chew and the band kept playing well after the final credits had finished rolling, as Randy, Jennifer, Steven, and Ryan all moved in to say their goodbyes to Idol‘s metal rocker. J.Lo went first, and Steven raised his arms, coaxing the audience to cheer even louder for James. Heidi his fiancée eventually stepped up on the stage, and patiently waited for James to finish talking with Randy, and then Steven, before the couple finally hugged and hugged and hugged as everyone politely kept their distance. The audience began a slow clap, and then whooped in the affirmative after Cory asked everyone, “If James did a concert tomorrow, who’s going to see it?” People began calling for an encore, but after James finally parted with Heidi, he was too busy fielding hugs from every last member of the Idol crew. Finally, James gave his last hug to Cory, and then left the stage. It was only then that the audience filed out.
Read more American Idol:
Annie Barrett’s ‘Idol’ recap: Tail of Tears
On the scene for the ‘Idol’ Top 4 performance night
‘Idol’ coaches talk the Top 4 — EXCLUSIVE
Can EW at least pretend to be objective? It is amazing how much of a cultural agenda some of the EW writers try to push. If they don’t like you or your values, they can’t help put tear you down and then act as if they are the funniest people to put pen to paper. The inside jokes between Mr. Adam Vary, Ms. Annie Barrett, Ms. Kristen Baldwin are crude and often profane. Its getting old. Do they have to tear James down b/c he isn’t quite like their favorite Adam Glambert?
They have no obligation to be objective. They are here to express their opinions and it is not a problem if they do.
I am torn, No one else writes as many recaps as these guys do but they do have a cynical, always smirking assholishness that I despise.
If you despise these articles so much, then why do you read them? No really – i’m not trying to be mean but it just doesn’t make sense for u to come to this particular website, click on this article, spend time reading it and then spend time commenting when you say that they always write in a manner that you despise. Why do you do that? If you’re looking for a behind the scenes recap, you can always read the one on eonline so why trouble yourself and others by coming here and then complaining that you had to read something you hate?
Actually, these recappers provide a very valuable service when they express their opinions. They are the ONLY voice of reason in what has become a very bizarre season of “judging” on idol. The highly paid “professionals” have abdicated their responsibility when not giving an honest critique to ALL singers. Haley gets called out for “screaming” the end of her song, but Jacob never once heard about his screaming. I actually trust the recappers more now.
A very easy solution to your concerns is to STOP READING EW. No one has a gun to your head. The Internet is full of sites offering different view points on pretty much anything. Find one that reflects your point of view.
I agree DC, these unhappy campers need to quit this site if it’s not objective enough for them
I actually agree with “EW Agenda”. It would be nice to have more “objective” writing from an entertainment website, especially as its the leading one. If these particular writers CAN’T be objective, then add additional voices from around the spectrum.
Objective articles are not humorous and that is why this is the number one site, get a clue
Objective?!??!!? This is NOT CNN, MSNBC, or anyone NEWS site. This is entertainment – get it ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY – they can have any point of view they choose. And as stated above, no one has a gun to your head to read this. I personally LOVE the behind the scenes recaps as well as Annie’s full ep recap. So go find a site from your point of view!
“Objective” isn’t the right word. EW doesn’t need to be objective. But the EW writers covering AI do seem to have a common bias, which is to diss anyone who’s straight and Christian on the basis of being straight and Christian and not on the basis of their talents – or lack thereof.
Squelman, the funny thing is that I have no idea if any of those adjectives apply to Haley b/c the show has given her short shrift all season. I just like her for her music. Nor do I see the hate you are complaining about as to the others. This blog was very nice about James – his leaving was sad. I don’t see their snarkiness directed at anyone but the judges and the show. The rest is just critiquing the show – for which an opinion is crucial.
You have every right now to read this, dummy.
If they were objective, it wouldn’t be nearly as funny. I love the jokes between them. You sort of just seem like you have a case of sour grapes.
AGREED. I love the Idol coverage on this site because it’s hilarious. If you don’t like what the writers say about your favorites, then maybe you don’t have a good sense of humor?
????? you creating stuff that doesn’t exist. How was that anti James? He was sympathetic.
you’re
I absolutely agree with ‘EW Agenda’, while I think Adam usually does a great job with the ‘what you didn’t see’, Annie is just mean and only wants to appear to be funny, without offering anything real. I always have to go to another site to read a recap anywhere near reality.
“Anyway” is a Southern Baptist hymn according to AB, which just underlines her true appreciation of country music. She may as well write about Chinese folk songs.
I live for Annie’s recaps. Don’t hate.
Totally agree with your comment, Joy:
“Annie is just mean and only wants to appear to be funny, without offering anything real.”
Wow, some people have no clue what entertainment journalism is, do they?? Perhaps you should simply not come here if your sense of humor is so completely non-existent.
What i cannot get my head round and love Haley is this Adam B. Vary guy still thinks Hayley’s performance of the Michael Jackson song was good lol Please tell me you don’t review music Adam B. Vary? I wouldn’t have Steven every performance is beautiful as some sort of expert. The dude never has not made one bad comment all series.
maybe it’s me, but I’m not seeing the snarki-ness that you’re referring to about James. I see it as a support to James. I was crying, too, when he got booted. But 2 words for James, CHRIS DAUGHTRY. James will rock the casbah no doubt. I won’t be watching next week though. It’s just too boring now.
No, terry… all non-country fans need to rally and vote for Haley to prevent a Lauren/Scotty finale! I’ll take either of them (they are both really talented) but Haley has to make it there too!
James is the Idol as far as I am concerned. Scotty is a excellent country singer and should win because James is gone. Haley and lauren can never compare. I bet one of them will win. That is how bad the show sucks. I can not even make my self watch the Idol again.
No, they won’t pretend to be objective. Annie is great, and I am interested in what she thinks. You, on the other hand, should keep your prudish and uninformed opinions to yourself.
FINALLY, THE SCREAMING IS OVER, and not from the girls in the audience. The right person left, should’ve been weeks ago!
Annie is now unreadable. EW has been pushing Adele like whiskey at a frat party. The fact that Haley sang her insipid song seems to be the ONLY reason they can give as to why Haley is sooooo amazing and “risky”. At least Adam had an extended metaphor to offerin this article. But I mist concur: too much idiocracy and 80′s pop references to count as a solid review. Maybe they should check out some H.L. Menken for some direction. ..( now THAT’s how you reference, guys ).
your name suits you very well. “idiocracy”…now that’s funny!
There are some contemporary singers that not very good vocalists. Kei$ha is particularly bad, Miley stinks, etc. But Adele is NOT one of them, nor is Lady Gaga for that matter.
Singing Adele is as daunting as singing Mariah and Whitney were to earlier performer wannabes.
Singing Gaga is tough.
You have to be very good and have some bravery on top of that, or you don’t try for that level.
Or do songs you knew some of the best singers on Idol killed. Like Jordin Sparks “I Who Have Nothing” or Siobhan Magnus’s brilliant “House of The Rising Sun”.
Haley does that stuff.
Since when does singing a number one song on the radio that is being shoved down our ears on a daily basis and another song that will soon be shoved down our ears on a daily bassis consititue taking a risk? I never said Adele or Lada Gaga couldn’t sing, I’m just saying that EW supports her BECAUSE she sings the songs that buy the adverticles in their magazine.
Point taken, Nixonesque. You never said Adele was a lousy vocalist. But my point is Haley is picking to do songs she thinks are of high mettle, sung brilliantly by others, and not by virtue of present airplay.
Gaga’s UNRELEASED song.
Two of the best song performances by two of the best vocalists on Idol that she knew she would be compared against by regular Idol watchers.
I’d say she picked Adele because Adele is a great singer, “Rolling in the Deep” is a true vocal challenge, and Haley felt up to the job.
Out of 100,000 he made it to #4 good job James!
Absafrigginlutley !!!!!
I think James should have been in the top 3, not Haley—-James deserves the best trip home.
I agree… He is clearly the idol winner.. vocal, perfomance, and the whole package wise- but you just never know how the home viewers vote… Maybe Haley’s fans are really working a thousand times harder to make sure she doesn’t go home… I like her too but she is the one I expect to go home this week…. So sad and disappointed that James went home… I always look forward to seeing him perform…
My perspective: It’s a backlash against the judges. Haley is the ONLY contestant who has had as tough critique from the judges. Especially J Lo.
This was an “IN YOU FACE” vote.
Not the first time, won’t be the last. James in the crossfire.
*shrug* I think James should have been in the Top 3 instead of Scotty. Not only is James a much better entertainer than Scotty, but now we have TWO country singers heading toward the finale. What’s with that?
“What’s with that” is fan base. The audience for AI is overwhelmingly southern. And now that there are two country focused singers in the pageant, oops, competition, they are going to get votes like crazy. They will be our final two.
I also wish Scotty went home instead of James. Hope Haley makes it to the finale to prevent the top 2 from being a complete bore. But what can you do?
Haley will be gone next week – the producers have wanted a Lauren/Scotty battle for a LONG LONG time.
And that will be the most BORING final yet…. not worth watching.
I don’t think so. Lauren will never be able to handel the fame. She will get swallowed up in a heartbeat. Haley is more mature to handle it. Obviously haley is more of a threat to Jennifer Lopez than Lauren. J-lo can’t sin for nothing. Wake peolpe.
I would hope the producers don’t want an all country finale. That will lose a lot of audience. Not everyone is a country music fan.
@Frank – totally agree. It’s inevitable though, I can’t see Haley getting to the finals with the way she’s been produced this year. It’s been all about Lauren and Scotty for a LONG time. (Lauren especially – Nigel has been pimping her since pre-auditions)
One of my biggest beefs with the show (especially this year) IS the way that they “pimp” certain people from the git-go….. to me, that is insulting to the other contestants AND to the audience. Lauren has not grown a bit this year, while most of the other contestants did……
Lauren…. the girl that could not pronounce the words ‘I’m evil’ in the song because she doesn’t want people to think she’s is evil… she’s in for a rude awakening if she wins (and even if she doesn’t).
Totally disagree. The producers wanted either Scotty or Lauren against James in the final. Now James is gone, they’ll push Haley to avoid an all country finale – which would lose them half the audience.
I really do believe that James should have wone the seat as one of the top3. For James I believe that you will go places that youve never been. You are a true artist and you deserve to win the Title. I look forward every week to watch the Idol. I dont think I will be watching it anymore. More power to you James Durbin and fammily. Everything that happens in life got it’s own purpose. God is watching you. Take care my friend.
James should still be there, and not Haley. His voice and talent are amazing. He pours all of himself into his singing and performances, and leaves most of us longing to hear more. Haley is not better than James or the two remaining. Allowing only ONE vote per phone would possibly help solve this riduculous and sad outcome. I would spend my money to see James perform, not Haley. I’ll be there for James and he’s coming in a blaze of glory!
Venessa – you bring up a good point. Not only for American Idol but also DWTS. One vote per phone or e-address and that’s it. I think multiple voting has been the problem for both shows for years. (And my two cents worth: Hayley should have gone!)
James was the worst singer left so he deserved to go home. JLo and Randy got their as*** handed to them. Let them deal with the nonsence of making James think he was some great singer. They tried to take Haley down but it did not work. The girl has talent, sex appeal and stage presense that they wanted us to ignor. We did not. Haley stays and James goes home. End of story.
One vote per phone or e-address would have produced a different outcome. This goes for most American Idol seasons. Haley….yes she can growl…I mean sing, but her rough voice and too much growling make me yawn after a while. She seems a little too snippy? Cannot take positive criticism? James sings and entertains beautifuly and leaves me with wanting more….every….single….time. It’s like I’m at one of his sold out concerts. James deserves to have been in the top three at least. Still, I’m excited for James. He has a great career to look forward to, doing what he loves and others love about him!
Ah, yes, you are the sole voice of reason among a sea of fananatics, Vanessa, why can’t everyone have the exact same opinion as you?
…And that was actually sarcasm, but so many people say the meant it earnestly that it was lost in translation. People like singers that you don’t. Learn to deal.
Also, ouch at my revising. “so many people mean it earnestly”, even.
Agree 100%. After Casey, he was clearly the best musician. Not watching the last few episodes because America is so stupid. Shouldn’t be surprised though…look who has won America’s Got Talent the past couple years
I totally agree: Barbara Padillia, Adam Lambert, Jackie Evancho/Defying Gravity & Bowersox should have won their respective seasons!!!!!!!!!
Lauren was the weakest of the four. James should have made it instead of her.
James touched many hearts and should have made it to the top three.
The way Lauren was chosen in the beginning of the show showed how bias Idol has become. I am loosing interest. Lauren should have been booted out before James.
Canada
James should had won the whole thing…bottom line. He’s awesome!
I never cared for him – I thought he was screechy and one of the most inconsistant singers of the bunch covered up with flair like fire and marching bands. But I do think if the judges had actually done their jobs on Wednesday and told James he sounded like bad karaoke it would have rallied people to vote for him. Paula Abdul was a better judge when she was stringing together non-sensical words and batting at the shiny butterflies only she could see flying around her head.
Tonya, get your hearing checked.
I don’t need my hearing checked…I’m not alone in thinking he sounded horrible most of the time. It’s cool that you’re a fan and thought he was great – but there’s a reason we all don’t love the same type of music. Not everything appeals to every person on the planet. I’m entitled to my opinion that he was a screechy screaming hot mess of an inconsistent singer who will be forgotten by the time the next idol competition comes around. As you are entitled to think that about my favorite contestant this season (regardless of who that is). Cheers.
You nailed it Tonya.
I agree with you Tonya, there was 1 song a few weeks ago which was the first and only time I enjoyed James. This is the top 3 I was hoping for (once Pia was voted off).
James should have won. Haley should’ve gone home along time ago. Her attitude is awful & she is inconsistent. Would like to see the voting/texting count. James will go on to be bigger than this. I will not watch anymore!
I agree with Tonya, well said!
James, I have 2 words for you, Chris Daughtry. You have been in the top 3 though. Your awesome.
And I have five more words: You will never be him. But thanks for playing!
Should James have made the top 3? Sure, I suppose so BUT he really wasn’t that good and more importantly he didn’t grow throughout the season. That’s what happens when you have AWFUL judges. They never gave James any criticism even last week when his performances were terrible. They ordained him the chosen one and poor guy was definitely not ready for that outcome. Sad……but Team Hayley!
What do you mean he didn’t grow in the program. He sure did he did his best performance every single week. He will alreadhy have record company lined up to sign him. It shows that handicape people are also human. More power James listen to your critics and grow beautifully from them. They cannot hurst you now. Youve been through a lot. To his fiancee take care of him and your son.
GO HALEY!! i love u, u r the BEST AMERICAN IDOL HAS.. LOVE YOUR VOICE. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.. U WILL WIN..
James didn’t grow any…he stayed the same throughout the competition, and actually started falling off the past two weeks. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been a fan of James’ from the very beginning. But, the past two weeks he has not been great. Mediocre at best. And unfortunately, I don’t think James’ will have a huge future in music. I see him playing small venues only for a couple of years and then fading out. I wish him and his family nothing but the best though and hope I’m wrong for his sake.
Haley is gaining steam, especially with the fans (partly because of the judges which I think is reverse psychology on the part of the producers). James’ votes will now go to Haley too I believe. So, it will be very hard for Lauren and Scotty to make it to the final two. I believe Haley will be in the final two. I believe Scotty will win.
Cmon..Haley??? Randy said it well when she butchered the MJ song. All she does is scream..and poorly at that. She blew the first song on 2 consecutive nights. So I guess you only have to be good 50% of the time. James was the only entertainer. The rest were like watching paint dry.
I guess you must have passed out all those times when James was screetching and completely off-key.
Your kidding, right?
america got it so wrong last night how could it be James it should have been Haley or Scotty,all she does is scream and growl and is also a little snippy, I like Scotty but not as much as James. There is no doubt in my mind that
James will be a star just like Chris Daughtry who was eliminated the same time as James. I don’t even want to watch the show anymore
I so agree with Sandy – America got it wrong and makes me not want to watch the show anymore! James could not only sing, but brought magic to the stage that weekly you couldn’t wait to see. The remaining 3 are – boring!
What a travesty of justice! What were the American voters thinking. They voted off the most versatile (James)entertainer and singer.
Scotty should have gone.
I agree with all that James should not be eliminated. He was the best of all. Scotty or Haley should have gone. It broke my heart to see him go.
Why does Lauren keep getting a free pass? She was the weakest of the four. Scotty is a one-trick pony but Scotty is going to sell a kazillion records as a country act.
Lauren was actually much better this week. She sang better in the duet with Haley. And, on Wed. night her first song was the strongest of all of them in my opinion. Overall, she did the best of all of them this past Wed. night. The judges are NOT doing their jobs this year and they are NOT preparing these kids for a future in entertainment by only complimenting everything they do (except Haley – which is reverse psychology and everyone is falling for it).
Do not believe James is gone looked forward to seeing him every week he was great with a lot if feeling
The most irritating part of the whole show was listening to J-Lo call everyone “BABY”. She and Randy really helped Haley stay with their overly negative comments. Good luck the the top 3.
YES! The judges did help Haley by their negative comments.
First, they inspired her to do much better on her 2nd song the last 2 weeks.
Second, it got viewers mad enough to vote for her to “show the judges.” (I think this was the judges’ goal.)
I laugh out loud every time they mention going to a “James Durbin concert” or a “Scotty McDREERY concert” or, even funnier, a “Paul McDonald concert”. AS IF. None of these mediocre ‘artists’ is going to make it big. NONE. Let me put it this way – David Arculeta, the darling of Season 7, is now playing shopping mall parking lots! By this time next year, Pia, Haley & Lauren will be cashiers at one of Archie’s “concerts”, James & Paul will be bagging groceries and Scotty will be rounding up the shopping carts in the parking lot. (Naima will be out behind the dumpster). The show is trying desperately to make the public think that these are future stars in the making. They’re not. Their “journey” is going nowhere fast.
AMEN Brah! Only a few-FEW- AI contestants have made a name for themselves- and Jordan Sparks IS NOT exactly a household name, no matter how hard they hype her up!
Interesting observation, and probably true…..
Some people you criticize are actually doing quite well. You do not need to be mega-famous to be a success. Do not measure others’ lives by your own inflated standard.
I do agree with you there. Winning or making the top 10 and having a few hits on the radio does not mean you are necessarily going to be a huge breakout star. Scotty will do fine in country but in a crowded solo male field it’s going to be tough for him to break out. Same with Lauren, I mean are you going to pay to see her when you could see Taylor, Carrie or Miranda? Maybe in 5 or 6 years but certainly not yet.
I agree totally. I’ve thought she sounded like a weak version of Carrie all season. And having seen Taylor, Carrie and Miranda there’s no way I would pay money to see Lauren.
Guess Toronto Tom has never heard of Paul McDonald and the Grand Magnolias.
The rest of his post is equally off mark.
(Naima, BTW, has involvement with an African-American dance troupe, is in a well-regarded local Reggae band, and is also a teacher. Last time she performed in Toronto, no doubt you dined off the dance troups scraps left near the Tower.)
I think haley should have went home along time ago.she so cannot sing as good as james,laruen,and scotty…and she has to much of an attitude…sad to see james go! next week i hope its ahley.
If there’s any justice in the world, Lauren will get the boot next week….
If there’s any justice in the world this show will be cancelled and we can all just watch X-factor!
Why does AI need to be cancelled to watch the X-Factor? No conflict with scheduling… and you haven’t even seen the show yet… you may be b*tching about that show come October just like you’re complaining now.
Finally, James goes home! The “heir apparent to the AI crown” aura that grew around him was impossible to understand. Sure, he’s an energetic performer. But his out-of-tune screeching has offended us for too long. Adam Lambert is the strongest male singer to ever walk the AI stage; but his glamrock agenda likely hurt him in the voting process. James has talent, but it is very narrowly focused, and not even in the same league as Adam Lambert.
Your 100% right. I had the same opinion of James all season. That being said winning AI doesn’t eqaul a mega career, e.g. Taylor Hicks, Chis Allen, Rueban Studdard whereas some contestants eliminated from the top five have gone on to great success.
No-one, past or present, will ever be as good as Adam Lambert. Sorry, but it’s true. I don’t care if he’s black/white, gay/straight or whatever – he is the best singer and entertainer they’ve ever had. AI will never be the same again. I can’t even remember any of the contenstants from last year, and I watched the whole season for Pete’s sake. This year has a lot of talent in it, which has been very enjoyable. But in the end, none of them hold a candle to Adam either.
It was the biggest mistake ever!!!James was the best – voice,show & heart. He should be brought back. If they can do it on Apprentice, they can do it American Idol. They are going to lose alot of their audience. My mother and I are not watching anymore.James should have been the American Idol. I would go to see him in concert. I wouldn’t want to see anyone else from the show.
I am with you on that. I will never look forward in watching it.
Send him to Redemption Island…
That’s not a bad idea–how about an AI all-stars season? Every other reaity show under the sun has done one.
Ha ha!
I would honestly love to see an All-Star season, possibly as the final season. I’m not sure how they’d choose those who should be on, but it would be great to see all of the best contestants over the years together.
I agree. James should have stayed.
Haley is a screamer. I am not excited about watching this show again.
Haley a “screamer”???? bwahahahaha!!!! James was the only one of those this year. I did like him, though; I would’ve enjoyed a James/Haley finale…
James was a screamer with a capital A
Haley is boring and so mediocre a singer she is compared to Pia, Jacob and James. Most devastating results! I do not like watching AI after this.
i agree with you, Haley is boring, and she should have gone not James.
I think they want Haley to win, and if she does this is the last time is will watch am. idol, i think this is all fix. whoever they want to win is going to win. and they are pushing Haley to win. she is such a snob, and when she laughs, its evil. people wake up to what Haley really is.
Troll alert!
oh wow, that’s the most stupid thing I’ve read, to say Haley is boring when there’s Scotty and Lauren left lol. Haley is excellent! There’s people giving up on watching Idol because she was there but there’s way more people who truly believe she is the best contestant of all time. One of the best Idols ever!
James, Haley and Naima were really the only ones worth watching this year; the rest were utterly boring.
Oh yes! Yes! Though Casey sometimes had a very good week! And I just love Scotty and Lauren as people! And besides the brief pleasure of Naima, I loved the tone of Thia Megia and can’t wait to see how much better she will be as she gets older and more experienced.
And can I say that Stefano grew on me to where I was ALMOST looking forward to him singing???
But the people I looked forward the most to seeing each week were Naima, Haley, and James.
Naima, my pale-skinned African babe…you are NOT forgotten!
Come on america evidently some of us dont know talent when we see it. Simon when you left you should have taken Randy with you.Or left him some Q-tips.His comments has gotten lame.
Randy has only two comments this Season: “Dawg” and “In it to win it.” Not just lame–HYPER LAME!!
Not that JLo or Steven are any better. Steve Tyler only knows how to say “beautiful” after every song.