• More
Back to PopWatch Home
EW Home

Which 'Idol' guy brings the momentum into tonight's semifinal finale?

Mar 4, 2008, 06:00 AM | by Michael Slezak

Categories: 'American Idol', Idolatry

I mean, aside from that Archuleta kid. After all, as my co-host Dawnie Walton likes to joke, season 7 of American Idol is "the most exciting race for No. 2 ever!"


Ginger Thu, Mar 6, 2008 at 01:37 PM EST

krikky: Bite me. You have no taste in music or men. Clearly. Jason's vocal was weak and BOR-ING! I'd vote for Luke-a-go-go a thousand times before this freakazoid.

krikky Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 09:28 PM EST

Screw you, Ginger! :)

Jason is by FAR the best of the bunch! He was so good tonight with his Jeff Buckley/Leonard Cohen cover that I wanted to cry. He is the only American Idol contestant whose album I think I would actually buy! He is what Josiah Lemming was trying to be and failing at.

Ginger Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 03:21 PM EST

Ew, Jason's totally weird! He's like the Rapunzel of the Land of Dreds.

Lila Grace Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 03:15 PM EST

I hope Jason sings well tonight without the guitar. He's the "realest" contestant in this bunch.

deedee Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 03:10 PM EST

Too bad, I liked David Hernandez, voted for him many times over! he's gone.
I think that David A deserves to go all the way.

To ANTM Freak Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 02:41 PM EST

YOU ARE THE BOMB!!!!!!!!

ANTM Freak Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 02:39 PM EST

David H should sing "Private Dancer" and that will definitely ensure at least one more week.

Preston Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 02:33 PM EST

Michael-- are you kidding? Chikezie TOTALLY owned Elliott on "I Believe To My Soul." Elliott's version was unmemorable and one of the reasons he was kicked off on top three night; Chikezie's, however, was soulful, rich, and idol-career-saving. I Believe To My Soul that you need to rewatch both on youtube!

JackSparrow228 Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 01:50 PM EST

You're right, he would start bawling and his Mormon Mommy would start a slapping frenzy. And Danny-ISH can't participate either. The thought of him disrobing while belting out "Relax" is giving me the dry heaves.

gray Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 01:27 PM EST

good idea, jackS! in fact, they should ALL strip. every last one of them should take their clothes off tonight. just level the playing field. except the person i am refusing to discuss from now on, in hopes he will just vaporize, would probably start crying and ruin the whole thing.

Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 01:27 PM EST

good idea, jackS! in fact, they should ALL strip. every last one of them should take their clothes off tonight. just level the playing field. except the person i am refusing to discuss from now on, in hopes he will just vaporize, would probably start crying and ruin the whole thing.

JackSparrow228 Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 01:13 PM EST

I know, it's going to be such a lame bunch of '80s songs, you know? A Whitney Huston and "Against All Odds"-a-thon. Gag me with a spooooonnnnn! I'm still surprised they let Luke sing Killer Queen and Carly Crazy On You, you usually don't see anything that cool. I'd LOVE to see a little Def Leppard, The Cure or The Smiths. And gray, you're totally right. The whole acapella thing is killing Luke. Maybe he should do a striptease instead of David. Rrrroowwwwrrr!

Broadway Baby Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 12:54 PM EST

lol Billy Squire! Squeal! - JS228 - great point about the song list. I read it's something like 30 songs or something ridiculous like that. Which explains why I am taking bets on how many times we hear "Against All Odds" over the next two nights.

gray Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 12:52 PM EST

i thought we all agreed to ignore david a and hope he just goes away. we have much more pressing issues to discuss...

gray Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 12:48 PM EST

i'm feeling a LITTLE less nervous about my poor little dancing queen. i really don't want david h to leave. surely they'll let him stay. do you think they'll use the opening again to justify their decision?

Elizabeth Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 12:47 PM EST

Can I request that David Archuletta sings "Mr. Telephone Man?" (BTW: forgive me that I'm a little fuzzy if it was a late 80s, early 90s tune, but who will be saddled with the AI Standby, "Hard to Handle"?)

gray Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 12:45 PM EST

i don't know... i am thinking luke needs to do something up-beat and do it in a super cool way. he HAS to come across as cool, and i hate to say it, current. that whole barbershop quartet or whatever is looming large.

To K Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 12:27 PM EST

Then Nigel's a total hypocrite because Frenchie always maintained that she was up front with the Idol people about her "lingerie" photos.

To Aaron Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 12:25 PM EST

George Michael, YES! But don't you think "I Want Your Sex" would be more appropriate? I know, I know, that was totally below the belt....

JackSparrow228 Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 12:23 PM EST

Broadway Baby: A Chris Isaak song would be good, but I don't think Luke's voice is deep enough to pull it off. I'm a big A-ha fan, and he does have the voice for that, but I think too many people would hate it, as A-ha still isn't too popular in my circle of aging '80s fans. I'd kind of like to see Luke do something edgy, a little sexier. I don't suppose they'd let him get away with Billy Squier's My Kinda Lover, what with all this male-stripper stuff flying around today. Maybe REO Speedwagon would suit Luke? Take It On The Run? Toto's Roseanna? I'd LOVE to see what that song list they have to work with looks like...

Aaron Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 12:22 PM EST

I would put down good money that David H will sing George Michael tonight. Definitely "Faith."

K Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 12:08 PM EST

While I could care less about a stripping past - I cannot imagine that the PTB knew about it. There is NO way a show like Idol would have put him in the top 24. I agree publicity is good - but male lap dancing is SOOOO not the type of publicity that show would want. Nigel always uses the excuse if people are upfront than they remain on the show.... if not they are cut.

Broadway Baby Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 11:54 AM EST

JS228 - I was originally thinking Chris Isaak - which if he did it well would be swooney - but if he was bad it would be REALLY bad. But someone had a great idea on here the other day (sorry I can't remember who to give credit to) of synth pop like A-ha. Which again is really risky - but can you imagine if he pulled it off? Sigh.... (I can see you - Please making gagging gestures the rest of you)

JackSparrow228 Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 11:35 AM EST

Broadway Baby: I'm with you! Luke's gotta be awesome tonight. You and I have to do some serious voting for him tonight. What kind of song are you hoping he'll sing tonight? Please let it NOT be a Richard Marx song! Gaaakkk!

mscisluv Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 11:32 AM EST

Yes, LadyTiger is right - I think the significant point with Frenchie was that the site advertised that its models were underage...

LadyTiger Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 11:26 AM EST

With Frenchie, the web site wasn't just nude pictures of her and other adults. It was a porn site that seemed to be exploiting under-age "models" -- a definitive law-breaking no-no.

Broadway Baby Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 11:24 AM EST

Well - at least we have 80's night to look forward to right - even if it does include "Danger Zone". hee hee - actually nothing would make me happier than to see someone try to make Danger Zone super cool. Just not Luke - for God's sake Luke please be good!!!!! I'm like Slezk with Amanda - I don't want to be embarrassed that Luke is my favorite.

TV Fan Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 11:20 AM EST

With the AP running the story today about David H. being a fully nude gay stripper as recently as 9/07, he unfortunately will be axed by the execs, esp, if he didn't candidly reveal such for his background check. My bet is that he will do well tonight and in the vote count, but conveniently the 12th spot will be between him and someone like Danny Noriega and David H. will go home, but not because of the vote! Too bad because he is one of my favorites this year so far. Who cares he earned a living in a seedy way.

Scottb Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 11:13 AM EST

I can't wait to see how Nigel and crew spin the stripper story. Does a guy who gives other men fully nude lap dances really mesh with their family viewing demographic? This is gonna be good.

AJ Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 11:10 AM EST

Everyone that isn't Hannah Montana--I mean, Archuleta--should stage a mass walk-out on the results show this week because they don't have a prayer thanks to Uncle Nigel. THAT would be great TV.

E.P Sato Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 10:36 AM EST

Whoever sticks around this week, it's time for more of the Idols to bring it! The season's got a gaggle of talented singers, but the performances have not been as good as they could be. Time for Michael Johns and that Rock and rock nurse to give us some real reasons to keep them on the air.

JackSparrow228 Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 10:24 AM EST

gray, I'm totally diggin' your crotchless chaps idea for DavidH! If they could allow Amanda to walk on stage the way she was last week, they should not only encourage the chaps, they should applaud David for being a stripper. Perhaps he'll sing Pour Some Sugar On Me and lose his shirt tonight. Yee-haw!

Liz Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 10:19 AM EST

Re: David A. -- being very young at the beginning of one's singing career does not preclude a grown-up transition. Anyone ever heard of Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Leann Rimes? It may be harder to do, but with good choices and the talent to back it up, it can be done. His age alone is not a reason to count him out on future record sales. I think the bigger concern is that his voice hasn't changed all the way yet.

Re: Frenchie -- the situation was different. Other Idols have had jobs or incidents in the past that maybe were a little off-color, but Frenchie's pictures were on the internet. As I recall, what made the difference to the Idol powers-that-be in her case was that the young Idol viewers might have had access to them. Just knowing David H. was a stripper probably wouldn't get him kicked off. Just my opinion, and of course, we all know that marketability has a lot to do with Idol's ostensibly moral decisions.

I still say David Cook is the one to watch.

gray Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 10:05 AM EST

ugh, the more i think about this, the more i am panicking. does anyone else out there remember the conditions under which frenchie was forced to leave? isn't this a similar situation? i don't want to lose david h. not now... not yet...

gray Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 10:02 AM EST

jackS-yes, i agree (again!) that, in theory, it is a boost for him. however, back when they ousted frenchie, they claimed she had broken some rule, as i recall. or maybe they thought she disgraced the Idol name (please). she was booted around now, i think. i am hoping since more and more "idols" have had issues in the past, they are loosening up. i would hate to see him go. maybe he should wear some crotchless chaps tonight.

JackSparrow228 Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 09:55 AM EST

gray: I think the stripper buzz is probably the best thing that ever happened to DavidH. Now he's infinitely more interesting to people. I see the Associated Press actually confirmed this rumor today. What happened when Frenchie was kicked off? I wasn't watching the show back then. How far had she gotten in the competition when that happened?

gray Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 09:47 AM EST

yes, i would like to move past david a altogether. i am worried about this whole david h stripper thing. frenchie had to leave the show because of her "racy past". that's gonna bite if they kick him off. i guess i would have to transfer my allegiance to david cook.

mscisluv Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 09:40 AM EST

I agree with pretty much everything people are saying about David A (in a nutshell: he's incredibly talented, but almost too polished and could get annoying and may not have much selling power), but I wish we could get away from criticizing which verse he chose to sing in "Imagine." I actually give him major credit for thinking seriously about very profound lyrics and choosing what spoke to him. That's a far cry from the contestants who sing about heartbreak with big smiles.

JackSparrow228 Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 08:55 AM EST

gray: Oh, yes, we absolutely MUST do something about Lil'D. It'll be a loooonng time before he's ousted tho. Even Sanjaya made way further than this on the teenybopper vote alone (I still have nightmares about that bizzarro mohawk). But, along with Danny PlasticHair-ISH, can we PLEASE send Jason home first? He totally creeps me out.

Elizabeth Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 08:52 AM EST

I wouldn't write off Archuletta's selling ability: those screaming girls would buy his record. (And some of us who feel an obligation to buy albums of those contestants we enjoy). Kudos to Michael & Dawnie on a solid episode of Idolatry.

AH Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 08:52 AM EST

Well we all know NOW why David Hernandez looks comfortable dancing. He was a stripper!

gray Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 08:50 AM EST

jackS- ok, ok, you have me here.... i had totally forgotten about danger zone (that really made me laugh), and could totally see him picking that. you're right, he needs to pick something that can maybe show a little more edge. although, i won't be too sad if he leaves. i still think we need to be concentrating our efforts to overthrowing david A. snooze and yuck.

JackSparrow228 Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 08:46 AM EST

gray: I totally agree that Kenny Loggins rocks. I'm just scared that Luke's gonna pick the wrong song, which could easily be done from the Loggins songbook, know what I'm sayin'? He might be able to get away with Danger Zone, or something like that. It's just that Luke's hanging by a thread here (seems EVERYBODY here wants him to go home), and if he picks the wrong song, he's done. He has a good voice, he just needs to find the perfect song to showcase it in the right light. I'd love to see him do Tears for Fears or a Phil Collins song, maybe?

Kaycee Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 08:34 AM EST

Lol funny you mention Clay Aiken and compare David with him. Ya Clay's first record did really well but after that everything Clay did music/albums wise was a flop or close to it. Where is he now? On broadway or off broadway just like I thought he be before he placed second in season 2. But ya anyways David A. is one of the better male contestants this year no doubt and he will make the final 12 no question. Platinum selling artist though I think not. Kid is cute but like someone else said cuteness will only get you so far. I think David Cook and Michael will do well tonight. Going home better be Luke and Danny all I gotta say. Luke should of gone home last week instead of Robbie. And David Hernandez is kinda scary looking and to know he used to be a stripper makes me scared of him even more. lol.

nycgirllms Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 08:34 AM EST

As far as I'm concerned, none of the guys have any spark this year. There are more good girls then boys. David Archuleta strikes me as too phoney and too slick for his own good. I felt the same way about Katharine McPhee and look what happened to her career. She's reduced to selling her wedding pictures to the tabloids to make a few bucks. If by some chance Archuleta wins(god I hope not), he will have a very, very short career. Didn't the producers get the memo, the boyband-cute singer fad ended like ten years ago. If you look at the charts, singers these days have a little edge to them. Justin Timberlake knew the boyband-cute thing was O-V-E-R and reinvented himself. Archuleta could sell a few records but then his expected fanbase-teenage girls-will hit puberty and move on to the next thing.

gray Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 08:31 AM EST

i agree and disagree with jacksparrow... david h is THE one to watch. lilD bores me already. i wouldn't pay money to see him live (unless he was starring on Broadway in, let's say, the Lion King. Wouldn't he make an adorable SIMBA??)
now, the only thing i disagree with jacksparrow about is kenny loggins. i am sorry, but he rocks. HE ROCKS

JackSparrow228 Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 08:31 AM EST

The difference between DavidA and Clay Aiken is that Clay appeals to kids AND adults. Who, over the age of 16 is gonna shell out money for a Lil'D album? Especially since he doesn't even have the courage to sing the "Imagine there's no Heaven" verse of "Imagine". Yeah, there's some real EDGY stuff, man!

Liz Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 08:25 AM EST

David Cook! He has the voice and the style to follow in the steps of Daughtry, meaning that coming in 2nd or lower could be the best thing that ever happened to him. I disagree with the other poster who said that David Archuleta doesn't have what it takes to sell records -- I see the point, but wouldn't we have said the same of Clay Aiken? Finally, I want to say that David Hernandez gives me the creeps. He does have a great voice, but I can't watch the guy, he moves like a bad wedding singer. Or Tom Jones, or anyone at Studio 54 in the 70's. I'm trying not to say "like a stripper", but there it is. Suffice to say I thought that long before I heard about his previous job.

That said, I do think he'll make the top 12 comfortably. My votes for departure tonight are Luke and Danny.

Rose Tyler Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 08:18 AM EST

Oh how I agree! He may be adorable and yes he can sing but who is going to buy his album? I mean what kind of album would the kid even make? I'm certain he would end up down the path of Taylor Hicks. There are still many weeks ahead of us and plenty of time for someone else(Brooke, Carly, Michael Johns, David Cook) to out shine little David.

JJ Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 08:16 AM EST

I agree with JackSparrow228 if David A. wins his record is gonna flop like past winner Taylor Hicks. Cuteness can only get you so far. Plus if David A. is sooo good like Idol is hyping him up to be why after he won Star Search and got to record a single why hasnt he been signed to a major label since then and sold millions of records? If he is sooo good he shouldnt of needed to go on Idol. I think perhaps we have a season 5 repeat on our hands. Where a runner up will outsell/outlast the winner and perhaps 2nd place finisher as well. Don't get me wrong the kid has decent vocals but he isnt anything unique. I think he is Top 12 worthy just not my pick for season 7 winner. We need a rocker to win this year. We already had 2 pop singers win, 2 rnb singers win, a soul blues singer win and a country singer win. It's time for a rock singer to win so looking at the Top 16 we have 2 possible choices then.

Adam S Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 08:08 AM EST

I really do wish everyone would stop crowning this David Archuleta the winner already. First of all, it's week THREE!! We've only seen him sing twice. At this point last year, LaKisha Jones was the front runner. Secondly, he's 16. He WILL show inexperience at some point. And thirdly, he's going to get annoying, I can tell already. I would happily get anyone $50 that Archuleta is NOT the American Idol when all is said and done.

J Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 08:03 AM EST

David A. may be this seasons front runner but I don't think the votes he gets each week are going to translate into huge record sales if he wins. I know I'm in the minority but I am just not wowed by or a big David Archuleta fan. His cover or version of Imagine was alright but it can't hold a candle to the original. It's such a huge song by a super famous music legend. I hope David covers a non ballad tonight. He needs to change things up a bit. I don't feel like he has given us anything new or unique. But ya anyways The 3 guys who will make it into the top 12 for sure after tonights show will be I think David Cook, Michael Johns and David Archuleta. I really hope Luke and Danny go home on Thursday. They just arent Top 12 matieral.

JackSparrow228 Tue, Mar 4, 2008 at 08:03 AM EST

Here's the thing. If DavidA (aka Lil'D) wins this competition, he's gonna go the way of Taylor Hicks and have blah record sales. Y'all out there LUUUUUUUV him, but the kid has NO edge and would never bring in any decent kind of record sales. Same goes for Jason. David H has way more of a chance to be a successful recording artist. He's a much more polished, engaging, and interesting performer. I'm still rooting for Luke of course, and he'll be getting all my "pretty" votes tonight. I SO hope he didn't listen to Paula and doesn't do Kenny Loggins. Please don't do Kenny Loggins...PLEASE don't do Kenny Loggins!!!!!!!


advertisement

Add Your Comments

The rules: Keep it clean, and stay on the subject — or we may delete your comment. If you see inappropriate language, e-mail us. An asterisk (*) indicates a required field.



  • 1000 characters remaining
    • When you click on the "Post Comment" button above to submit your comments, you are indicating your acceptance of and are agreeing to the Terms of Service. You can also read our Privacy Policy.
Latest Comments
Top Categories

All Categories

Blog Roll
Top Authors
Recent Posts
PopWatch Archive
July 2009
S M T W T F S
      1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 31  

Complete Archive